4M *
'^4
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
833 01756
6123
GC
974.402
B65DI
BOSTON
under MILITARY RULE
4 1768—1769 }
& Sad os
f-b (/)l? 't-'r)
as revealed in
A JOURNAL OF THE TIMES
BOSTON
under MILITARY RULE
1 1768- 17691
as revealed in
A JOURNAL OF THE TIMES
COMPILED BY
OLIVER MORTON DICKERSON, PhD.
BOSTON
CHAPMAN & GRIMES
Jflount \Xernon $r e&ti
Copyright 1936 by Chapman £s? Grimes
All rights reserved
This edition of Boston under Military
Rule consists of 1022 copies
printed from type that
has been distributed.
Printed in the United States of America
ifflount Vernon $ress(, Boston
CONTENTS
Editorial Introduction
Vll
A Journal of the Times
1
Index
129
••
JOURNAL OF TRANSACTIONS IN BOSTON
OR
A Journal of the Times
t t #
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
This JOURNAL OF THE TIMES is a
unique historical document. In most cases
the historian has to reconstruct past events
from a series of fragmentary accounts, such
as personal letters, diaries, journals, memo¬
randa of commercial transactions, and of¬
ficial documents. Many of these were not
prepared for publication, and few of them
were intended to give a distant public a
continuous picture of events over a consider¬
able period of time.
In a JOURNAL OF THE TIMES, how¬
ever, we have a day-to-day record of hap¬
penings that were politically significant to
the whole British empire, prepared con¬
sciously for publication by a group of men
who intended to supply definite, concrete
pictures of conditions in the town where
they were living. To add to its uniqueness
and its importance as a moulder of public
opinion, the English-speaking world had no
other common source of information con¬
cerning what was happening in Boston;
hence it was dependent upon this account
to learn the policies of Government and their
effects at the most important trouble center
of the time in the entire empire,
r One must keep in mind the setting that
produced this document. In 1768 only five
years had elapsed since the close of the
greatest world war up to that time. England
had become the undisputed mistress of the
seas and head of the second greatest colonial
empire, with unprecedented taxation and
L- debt problems as a part of the price of glory.
Hence, across the difficulties of post-war
reconstruction, had come those of colonial
relations, imperial taxation, colonial resist¬
ance to the processes of collecting new
revenues, an application to America of real
economic sanctions, and a flood of periodical
and pamphlet discussion of the new consti¬
tutional questions thus raised. American
possibilities and American problems were
more prominent in the minds of Englishmen
than ever before. Then had come the
political revolution at home and the ap¬
parently satisfactory compromises under
Pitt, only to have the entire question re¬
opened by the unfortunate revenue legisla- .
tion under Townshend.
Grenville and his followers had severely 1
condemned the Government for quietly
submitting to the open defiance of parlia¬
mentary laws by unrestrained mob violence
in America; and there seems to have been
considerable public opinion in England dis¬
posed to demand that there must be no
repetition of the supine abandonment of
the fiscal agents of the Government, as had
occurred in 1765.
The flaring up of renewed colonial op¬
position to the new measures was met with
official resistance by the Ministry. From
America had come news of concerted meas¬
ures, similiar to those that had succeeded
in forcing a repeal of the Stamp Act: the
Massachusetts Circular Letter, resolutions
of protest from legislative bodies, a renewal
of non-importation agreements, and in
Boston and other towns angry mobs at¬
tempting to treat the new revenue officials
as they did the stamp distributors. Along
with these reports had come panicky letters
from British officials: Governor Bernard,
Charles Paxton, Admiral Hood, and others,
which pictured Boston as in a state of revolt
and insisted upon adequate military force
to support government. The new Commis¬
sioners of Customs supported this demand,
and transferred their headquarters from
Boston to Castle William on the ground
that they were not safe elsewhere.
Patriot leaders in Boston believed that
they had been the victims of wicked misre¬
presentation at the hands of designing men,
Vll
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
viu
and planned an extraordinary campaign to
supply the King, both houses of Parliament,
the British public, and people in the other
colonies with a truer picture of actual condi¬
tions. In this campaign they used personal
letters, newspaper articles, resolutions and
representations of town meetings and of the
House of Representatives, and even the
protests of a great convention of delegates
from the Massachusetts towns. Colonial
agents in London presented petitions, ap¬
peared before legislative committees and
administrative boards, wrote articles for
the newspapers and magazines, and in other
ways sought to convince the British public
that the Boston people were loyal and law-
abiding, and had been grossly maligned by
the official reports.
The sending of troops to Boston was a
most serious episode in the history of the
empire. Nothing similar to it had happened
before. Troops had to be gathered from
Halifax, from the frontiers in Florida, from
r-the West Indies, and from Ireland. Only
real war had ever before led to such formid¬
able military and naval measures. These
conditions created a demand for information
from the seat of trouble that existing agencies
were not prepared to meet. In the days
when there were no war correspondents, no
feature writers for newspapers, and no as¬
sociated press dispatches, the means of dis-
r seminating information were limited. Libel
laws were severe; articles signed by indi¬
viduals protected publishers, but were dis¬
counted by the reading public as indicative
of personal bias or some selfish design; and
there was a limit to the patience of the public
with articles signed with fictitious or pen
t names. There was real need for an agency
that could portray conditions in Boston, and
supply a service now rendered by the public
press.
It was to give this service, that some
inspired individuals conceived the plan of a
daily journal of happenings in this be¬
leaguered town, written in simple, direct
English and supplied to the newspapers of
the empire. The copy was prepared in
Boston by men who were in a position to
know what was going on and who had a
flair for effective newspaper writing. From
Boston the material was sent secretly to
New York and there first published in Holt’s
New York Journal on Thursday, and re¬
printed in the Pennsylvania Chronicle on the
following Saturday. It would seem difficult
at that time to have transmitted a printed
newspaper from New York to Philadelphia,
set new type, and printed a second edition
between Thursday and Saturday.
It is possible that two sets of manuscript
were prepared and dispatched simultane¬
ously, one to New York and the other to
Philadelphia. Careful comparison of the
two printed copies, however, shows an
identity of composition that would have
been difficult to secure from separate pen
copies.
This material was originally published
under varying titles. The first installment
of the JOURNAL, covering the dates Sep¬
tember 28 to October 3, 1768, was first
published in the New York Journal on
October 13, and subsequent portions ap¬
peared regularly with an average lapse of
ten days to two weeks between the dates of
happenings and the time of publication. The
first title of this material was “JOURNAL
of Transactions in BOSTON.” In the next
issue the title was a “JOURNAL of the
TIMES.” By the fourth issue the heading
became a “JOURNAL of OCCURRENCES”,
with Boston used as a place heading as in
all news items. This last title was regularly
used by the New York Journal until publi¬
cation ceased. The first title used in the
Boston Evening Post was “JOURNAL of
Transactions in BOSTON,” but later por¬
tions carry the heading “JOURNAL of the
TIMES.” Thus of the three headings used
for this material only two were used regu¬
larly: “JOURNAL of the TIMES” in the
Boston papers and those that copied from
them; and “JOURNAL of OCCURRENCES”
in the New York papers and their followers.
It seems clear that the authors in Boston
preferred the heading “JOURNAL of the
TIMES”, and that title will be used in the
following discussion.
The first installment of the JOURNAL
had a note to other publishers as follows:
“ The above Journal you are desired to publish
for the general satisfaction , it being strictly
fact.”. A similar note at the close of the
first installment in the Pennsylvania Chronicle
is somewhat longer and is signed “Amicus.”
It would be interesting to know who this
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
particular “Amicus” was. Did he live in
New York, in Philadelphia, or in Boston?
Was he a patriot intrigued by the style of
the first portion of the JOURNAL, or was
he some one who knew the full scope of the
plans back of the publication? No satis¬
factory answer can be given, although one
suspects that this “Amicus” was one of the
authors of the JOURNAL. With this excep¬
tion, the JOURNAL is entirely anonymous,
no other signature of any kind ever appear¬
ing in connection with it.
After publication in the New York and
the Philadelphia papers, it was printed in
the Boston Evening Post , and widely copied
in other American newspapers and in some
publications in England. A considerable
portion of it was reprinted in pamphlet form
in England for circulation there, probably at
the expense of Massachusetts. Apparently
no other pre-Revolutionary colonial writing
was so widely circulated in the colonies and
in England, except Dickinson’s Letters from
a Pennsylvania Farmer. It furnished a com¬
mon background of information as to what
was going on in Boston that was known
from one end of the empire to the other,
p The authorship of the JOURNAL is
shrouded in secrecy. Frothingham says it
was mainly the work of William Cooper, the
town clerk of Boston, but does not give his
source of information. He concedes that
other patriots had a hand in it. Governor
Bernard ascribed it to Sam Adams and his
i _ associates.
Some of the possible authors are: Henry
Knox, at that time running a book store in
Boston and later prominent in the Revolu¬
tion; Benjamin Edes, one of the joint pub¬
lishers of the Boston Evening Post and an
ardent patriot; William Greenleaf, who was
an employee of Edes and Gill in their print¬
ing establishment; and possibly Isaiah
Thomas, who was acquiring his preliminary
experience in the printing business and was
soon to found the Massachusetts Spy , the
most radical of the patriotic papers.
The JOURNAL certainly was not the
work of a single individual. There are
sections dealing with legal questions that
could not have been prepared by a town
clerk without material assistance. The
nature of the legal information suggests that
either John Adams or Josiah Quincy had a
hand in its preparation. The discussion of
Writs of Assistance on April 28 and April 29,
1769, suggests very strongly John Adams’
reputed report of James Otis’ speech in 1761.
Possibly this was one of the sources he used
to refresh his memory, some half century
later. There are other sections that suggest
the style of “Mucius Scaevola,” who is said
to have been Joseph Greenleaf.1 The re¬
tained papers of Samuel and John Adams
contain no reference whatever to the
JOURNAL. Apparently the work was care¬
fully hedged about with secrecy, and all
evidence that could be traced to single
individuals completely destroyed.
The JOURNAL is singularly unknown to
historians. Winsor does not refer to it
either in his Memorial History of Boston or
in his Narrative and Critical History of
America. Moses Coit Tyler fails to refer to
it in his Literary History of the American
Revolution. Frothingham alone knew of it
and used it to some extent in his “Sam
Adams’ Regiments”, although he apparently
never discovered the widespread publication
of the JOURNAL in American newspapers.
His comment upon it is the only material
reference by a historian that has come to
light. The main portions are quoted below:
“In one way and another the troops be¬
came sources of irritation. The Patriots,
mainly William Cooper, the town clerk,
prepared a chronicle of this perpetual fret,
which contains much curious matter ob¬
tained through access to authoritative
sources of information, private and official.
This diary was first printed in New York,
and reprinted in the newspapers of Boston
and London, under the title of ‘Journal of
Occurrences.’ The numbers continued until
after the close of Bernard’s administration,
usually occupied three columns of the Boston
Evening Post and constituted a piquant
record of the matters connected with the
troops and general politics.
“It attracted much attention, and the
authors of it formed the subject of a standing
toast at the Liberty celebrations. Hutchin¬
son averred that it was composed with great
art and little truth. After this weekly
1 Justin Winsor, Memorial History of Boston (Boston, 1880-1882), II, 136.
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
‘Journal of the Times’ as it was now called,
had been published for four months, Gover¬
nor Bernard devoted to it an entire official
letter to Lord Hillsborough. He said that
this publication was intended ‘to raise a
general clamor against His Majesty’s govern¬
ment in England and throughout America,
as well as in Massachusetts’; and in this way
the patriots ‘flattered themselves that they
should get the navy and army removed, and
again have the government and Custom
House in their own hands.’ The idea of such
disloyal purposes excited the governor to the
most acrimonious criticism. ‘It is composed,’
he informed Lord Hillsborough, ‘by Adams
and his associates, among which there must
be some one at least of the Council; as every¬
thing that is said or done in Council, which
can be made use of, is constantly perverted,
misrepresented and falsified in this paper.
But if the Devil himself was of the party, as
he virtually is, there could not have been
got together a greater collection of impudent,
virulent, and seditious lies, perversions of the
truth, and misrepresentations, than are to
be found in this publication. Some are en¬
tirely invented, and first heard of from the
printed papers; others are founded in fact,
but so perverted as to be the direct contrary
of the truth; other parts of the whole con¬
sists of reflections of the writer, which pre¬
tend to no other authority than his own
I word. To act about answering these falsities
would be a work like that of cleaning
Augeas’s stable, which is to be done only
by bringing in a stream strong enough to
sweep away the dirt and collectors of it all
| together.’ Doubtless there are exaggera¬
tions in the JOURNAL. It would be
strange, if there were not . But in the
main the general allegations as to grievances
suffered by the people from the troops, are
borne out by private letters and official
documents, and a plain statement of the
cause of Francis Bernard shows that they
did not exceed the truth as to him.” 1
The JOURNAL starts with the landing of
troops in Boston in September, 1768, and
continues until late the next summer, by
which time Bernard had been recalled as
governor and many of the troops removed
from the city. It was obviously written to
appeal to three audiences. In the first place,
it was to inform the rest of the Americans
just what was going on in Boston and give
them a concrete picture of what arbitrary
government, supported by large numbers of
troops, meant from day to day in the largest
American city. In the second place, it was
written for consumption in England so that
the people there, and especially members of
Parliament, could know how fundamental
principles of British liberty were being daily
violated by the military occupation of the
city, how the revenues arising under the
Townshend measures were squandered and
misapplied, how trade was hampered and
injured by operations of the Customs Com¬
missioners, and how the effect of the entire
policy was to encourage the development of
home manufactures here to the injury of
British commerce and industry at home.
Finally, it was a means of passing on to the
people of Massachusetts a considerable mass
of information that could not have been
made public in any other way.
When one realizes that this material was
printed as authentic news items with the
specific month and day when the alleged
events occurred, that it appeared week after
week, and that there was no other source of
information whatever and no formal contra¬
diction, the almost diabolical cleverness of
the appeals to these specific audiences begins
to appear.
The quarrel in 1768 was largely with
Boston and New England, but the support
of the great southern colonies was necessary
if grievances were to be removed. Slavery- !
was common to all of the colonies, but was
especially important in the southern and
West Indies groups. Items in the JOURNAL
which related the attempts of soldiers in
Boston to tamper with Negro slaves and to
encourage them to attack their masters,
followed by specific details of court charges
against individual members of the military,
must have made interesting reading when
circulated as they were in southern news¬
papers. Here is the beginning of the charge,
later included in the Declaration of Inde¬
pendence, that the King “has sought to en¬
courage domestic insurrection.”
A similarly clever appeal to the British
1 “Sam Adams’ Regiments,” Atlantic Monthly , X, 195-196.
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
audience is in the account of the exposure
of the frontier to Indian attacks by the re¬
moval of troops for service in Boston, fol¬
lowed by detailed accounts of their not being
needed in their new location, of their mis¬
conduct, and of the added expense of their
transportation and quarters. It was difficult
for the ministerial adherents to explain this
situation to the British people, who were
already heavily taxed to support an in¬
creased military establishment allegedly to
protect the American frontier from a repeti¬
tion of such Indian uprisings as Pontiac’s
Conspiracy. We know that these items
struck home by the protests and memorials
sent to the home government and by General
Gage’s enforced explanation of conditions in
his letter to Hillsborough of March 4, 1769.1
Many other illustrations can be cited of
similarly successful appeals of portions of
the JOURNAL to particular sections of the
British public.
r There are two main themes that run
through the JOURNAL. The first is the
evils of military rule in a city like Boston,
its inevitably demoralizing effects upon the
soldiers, and the constant friction with and
mistreatment of the civilian population.
Along with this goes a constant stream of
evidence that the military rule was illegal,
that the local authority was subservient to
the military, that soldiers and officers were
encouraged to be insolent, abusive, and
criminal; and that, so long as they remained
In the city, there was no effective remedy at
| civil law. Instance after instance was pre¬
sented of the most flagrant offences by the
soldiery, followed by specific charges in the
local courts, and a few days later evidence
printed that crown officers, whose business
it was to prosecute such offenders, had dis¬
missed the charges, often after indictments
had been formally returned. It was this
picture, painted week after week for months,
that effectively prepared America and Britain
for the outbreak of March 5, 1~70, and led
them to accept it as a “massacre.” No
amount of explanation could convince the
American or the British public that the fault
was not with the soldiers and the policy of an
administration that had sent them to Boston.
It was not so much the occurrence itself as
the careful preparation for it that had gone
on through the JOURNAL OF THE
TIMES during 1768 and 1769 that led to
the general condemnation of those respon¬
sible for the tragedy.
General Gage’s papers reveal the attempt
to build up in .America an office of Governor
General through the army. Official reports
and correspondence, if studied by themselves,
may lead to the conclusion that real union
could have been built up in that way, and
that even the Americans might have ac¬
cepted such a system.* 5 But against these
official letters one must place the story, so
effectively retailed through the JOURNAL,
of what military rule meant in Boston and
what it threatened to all of the rest of
America. Alter that publication had done
its work, troops not only had to be removed
from Boston, but they could never again be
sent into any colony on a similar errand
without starting civil war. It was the
evidence supplied by the JOURNAL that
laid the foundation for the charge in the '
Declaration of Independence against the
King, that “he has affected to render the
military independent of, and superior to, the
civil power.”
The second constant theme is the Customs "1
Commissioners with their bad manners,
haughty behavior, false inlormation sent to
London, their army of informers, and their
personal profits in the enforcement of the
revenue laws. This portion of the JOURNAL
reads much like the clamor against our coast
guard service over the enforcement of the
prohibition laws. The effort was to discredit
both the law and the enforcement officials.
In the case of the colonists, however, there
is no boasting about evading the law.
Rather, the colonial offenders are held up as
honest, seafaring men who are trying to live
within the law and are being victimized by
a wicked set of thieving revenue officers.
In addition to these two main themes the
JOL'RNAL is a mine of information con¬
cerning many other sources of irritation.
Outstanding among these is the attempted .
seizure of Hancock’s fortune over the sloop
Liberty affair. Here is the story of his arrest,
1 Clarence E. Carter, The Corns pc nJence of General Thomas Gage (New Haven, 1931), I, 218-220.
5 See Carter’s “Introduction,” ibid., xii.
Xll
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
his trial, and the final dismissal of the
charges against him, covering the dates of
November 3, 7, 28; December 14, 1768;
January 2, 5, 7, 28, 30; February 17, 21, 24;
March 2, 26, 1769. Along with this is the
story of the indictment for perjury of the
chief informer against Hancock by a local
grand jury, the failure to bring him to trial,
and the Customs Commissioners rewarding
him with a position on the confiscated
Liberty. Hancock thus was introduced to
the people of America and of England, not
as a smuggler, but as the near victim of as
unscrupulous a “racket” as had ever been
exposed in an age that was notorious for
official corruption in England. In the light
of material contained in the JOURNAL,
biographers of Hancock are likely to revise
their estimates of him, and find new reasons
why he should have been President of the
Continental Congress and the most promi¬
nent signer of the Declaration of Independ¬
ence.
Other points that unquestionably made
their impression upon public sentiment were
j the protests against the impressment of
American seamen for service on the ships
of the royal navy; the steady subversion of
the judiciary to ministerial pressure; and
the development of an extensive spoils
system in America with which to reward
the pimps and parasites that were a part of
the irresponsible, arbitrary government in
England at that time, and as thoroughly
{.hated there as in America. Evidently one
of the objects of the JOURNAL was to
expose the system as it had developed under
Bernard, to hold him up to contempt and
ridicule, and thus effectually to destroy his
capacity to do harm. In this the authors of
the JOURNAL achieved their end: Bernard
was not only recalled, but his name became
a symbol for infamy and deceit, and in
toasts and resolutions of the patriots was
used as an epithet to indicate the extreme
limits of condemnation as applied to par¬
ticular individuals.
The JOURNAL is also interesting as an
example of a developing newspaper tech¬
nique. As a source of current happenings it
reflects the first systematic gathering and
retailing of news found in American news¬
papers. The success with which its repro¬
duction was secured in American and British
publications further suggests the later news
organizations and modern syndicated articles.
Prior to the Revolution editorial comment
on the news was practically unknown. The
newspaper publisher was a craftsman, who
printed such items of local and foreign infor¬
mation and advertisements as he could secure
and did not consider it his business to mould
public opinion by editorial interpretations j
and comment. The news items in the-'
JOURNAL, however, are edited in a most
novel and effective manner. There is first
of all the news item, then the editorial com¬
ment in italics at the end of the item. As
italics were customarily used for emphasis,
this made the editorial addition especially
prominent and effective, as it was read as a
part of the news itself. No other propaganda
material of the period had this unique
feature.
The JOURNAL was discovered while
making an extensive study of contemporary
sources of opinion on the eve of the Revolu¬
tion. Careful examination of its content, and
the extent of its publication, led to a decision
to gather it together and republish it in book
form for use by students of American history.
In the opinion of the editor, it is a veritable
mine of information for conditions in Boston
in 1768-1769, and of the general sources of
colonial irritation. Here is material that
cannot be found in journals, diaries, private
letters, or public documents, because some
did not know the facts and others did not
dare permit written records of such facts to
be found in their possession. _ !
In preparing this material for publication,
the form of the original has been retained
except in the matter of capitalization. News¬
papers were photostated and compared.
Spelling and punctuation have been retained
exactly as they appeared, even when incon¬
sistent and evidently erroneous. The use of
capital letters, however, was found to be a
matter of uneven practice in the composition
rooms of newspapers, and varied with the
whims of the publishers. The New York
Journal capitalized practically every noun;
the Boston Evening Post approximated pres¬
ent day usage. As there was no uniformity
in this matter, it was decided to reduce
capitalization to approximately modern
standards, as it was evident that the practice
in this particular could not contribute infor-
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION
xm
mation that might ultimately lead to the
identification of the authors.
As the JOURNAL was first printed in the
New York Journal , and apparently all other
forms were copied from that original edition,
it has been used as the chief source for this
volume. The Boston Evening Post has been
the other main dependence for copy, because
the JOURNAL was prepared in Boston and
important changes were made in reprinting
it in that paper. So far as could be deter¬
mined, colonial newspapers copied generally
from the New York Journal or the Boston
Evening Post. Wherever the title “JOURNAL
OF OCCURRENCES” is used, it indicates
that the copy has come directly or indirectly
from the New York Journal. The form
“JOURNAL OF THE TIMES” indicates
that the copying has been from the Boston
Evening Post.
Thanks are especially due to Julius H.
Tuttle and the Massachusetts Historical
Society for the use of their incomparable
files of colonial papers covering this period,
and for their courtesies in supplying photo¬
static copies on an extensive scale. Similar
thanks are due to Mr. V. Valta Parma and
his associates of the Rare Book Room of the
Library of Congress. The writer also desires
to acknowledge the assistance of Victor H.
Paltsits and the New York Public Library
for photostats and incidental research.
Finally, the editor’s thanks are due to the
custodians of the files of other colonial news¬
papers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Penn¬
sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South
Carolina, who have so courteously and faith¬
fully placed their treasured copies at his
disposal.
Oliver Morton Dickerson
September, 1936.
The Boston
Evening-Poft.
Containing the frejhefi & mojl important
Advices-, Foreign and Domeftick.
September 28, 1768 1
DYICE received that the men of war
and transports from Halifax, with
about 900 troops, collected from several
parts of America, were safe arrived at Nan-
tasket Harbour, having very narrowly
escaped shipwreck on the back of Cape Cod,
which disaster would have left the extensive
sea coast of North America, almost bare of
ships of war, and troops, but in no worse
state than are the inland fortresses and
settlements, from whence the garrisons had
been before withdrawn. — Time must ac¬
count for such extraordinary steps in our
Ministry.
September 29
The fleet was brought to anchor near
Castle William, that evening there was
throwing of sky rockets, and those passing
in boats observed great rejoicings, and that
the Yankey Doodle song was the capital
piece in their band of music. — This day his
Majesty’s Council received a billet from
Governor Bernard, requiring their attend¬
ance at Castle William, and informing them
that the officers of his Majesty’s fleet and
army, would be present, — they attended
accordingly, and notwithstanding all in¬
timidations, adhered strictly to their votes,
published in the last papers; the Governor’s
arts were ineffectual to induce them to give
the least countenance to any troops being
brought into Boston, as the barracks at
Castle William were sufficient to receive the
whole of them arrived from Halifax. — The
treatment they received from his Excellency,
during their tarry at the Castle, was very
uncourtly, and even rude 2
September 30
Early this morning a number of boats
were observed round the town, making
soundings, &c. — At 3 o’clock in the after¬
noon, the Launceston of 40 guns, the Mer¬
maid of 38, Glasgow 20, the Beaver 14,
Senegal 14, Bonetta 10, several armed
schooners, which together with the Romney
of 60 guns,3 and the other ships of war before
in the harbour, all commanded by Capt.
Smith, came up to town, bringing with
them, the 14th Regiment, Col. Dalrymple,
and 29th Regiment, Col. Carr; none having
been disembarked at Castle Island, — So that
we now behold Boston surrounded at a time
of profound peace, with about 14 ships of
war, with springs on their cables, and their
broadsides to the town! — If the people of
England could but look into the town to see
the utmost good order and observance of
the laws, and that this mighty armament
has no other rebellion to subdue than what
existed in the brain or letter of the in¬
veterate G - r B - d and the detested
Comm — s — rs of the Board of C - s. What
advantages the Court of Versailles may take
of the present policy of the British Ministry,
can be better determined hereafter.
October 1
HIS morning rumours that repre¬
sentations had gone from hence to
General Gage at N — York,4 from our
good friend, &c. that we are in a state of
rebellion; an express its said has arrived
in consequence, with advice that more
troops may be expected from N — York.
— Sheriff Greenleaf and his deputy pressing
carts, &c. for the use of the troops, this
1 All items from September 28 to October 2, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , October 13, 1768, p. 2.
2 The last three words are omitted from the corresponding account in the Boston Evening Post , December 12,
1768, p. 1.
8 The Boston Evening Post has “50 guns” and gives the Mermaid 28. Ibid.
4 The Boston Evening Post has “New York.”
2 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
and other motions indicate that they medi¬
tate a landing this day, to encamp in 1 the
Common, in hopes of intimidating the
magistrates to find them quarters, which
they cannot force until the barracks are
filled, without flying in the face of a plain
act of Parliament. At about l2 o’clock, all
the troops landed under cover of the cannon
of the ships of war, and marched into the
Common, with muskets charged, bayonets
fixed, colours flying, drums beating and fifes,
&c. playing, making with the train of artillery
upwards of 700 men. — In the afternoon it
is said an officer from the Col.3 went to the
Manufactory House, with an order from the
Governor, and requested Mr. Brown and the
other occupiers to remove within two hours,
that the troops might take possession; in¬
stead of a compliance the doors were barr’d
and bolted against them. — This evening
the Selectmen were required by the Colonel
to quarter the two regiments in this town,
which they absolutely refused, as his Maj¬
esty’s Council had done before, knowing
that whoever should conduct in violation of
an act of Parliament must be answerable for
the consequences, — The Colonel as it is said,
waving a demand for quartering, earnestly
entreated that out of compassion to the
troops; one regiment of which were without
their camp equipage, they would allow
Fanueil-Hall, and Chambers, that, and the
following night, as a shelter from the weather.
The next day being the Sabbath, on which
all confusion should be avoided, — at 9
o’clock this night they were permitted to
enter said hall, in which were a large number
of stands of the towns arms: Thus the
humanity of the city magistrates permitted
them a temporary shelter, which no menaces
could have procured.
October 2
Being Lord’s day, the town quiet no dis¬
orders having risen on any side, — this
evening, by order of Governor Bernard, the
Secretary of the Province opened the Town
House, and even the Representatives Cham¬
ber for the reception of the troops.4
The above Journal you are desired to publish
for the general satisfaction , it being strictly fact .
October 3 5
We now behold the Representatives’
Chamber, Court-House, and Faneuil-Hall,
those seats of freedom and justice occupied
with troops, and guards placed at the doors;
the Common covered with tents, and alive
with soldiers; marching and countermarch¬
ings to relieve the guards, in short the town
is now a perfect garrison. — This day the
Court of Sessions met at the Court-House,
1 Instead of “in” the Boston account has “on.” Ibid.
2 This is written out in full. Ibid.
8 This becomes “Colonel” in the Boston account. Ibid.
4 The portion of the Journal covering the dates, September 28 to October 2 was published in the Pennsylvania
Chronicle , October 17, pp. 2-3. The closing paragraph, however, is longer and was inserted at the beginning just
under the title. It is as follows:
“ Though you have already published an account of the arrival of the fleet and army at Boston , yet many of your
customers would be pleased to see the following Journal , which is strictly fact , in your useful paper — you are therefort
desired to give it a place.
Amicus”
The above sections appeared in the Boston Evening Post , December 12, 1768, p. 1. The introduction is more
elaborate, however, and is reproduced in full below. This appears at the beginning of the Journal items instead
of at the close of the first installment as in the case of the New York Journal.
“ Messrs FLEETS
Though you have already published an account of the arrival of the fleet and army at Boston , yet a great number
of your customers would be glad to find the following Journal of Occurrences published in your useful and impartial
paper , so that they may see in one comprehensive view , the extraordinary transactions of the present day.
“[In compliance with the above request we shall devote a part of our paper for some time to that purpose;
and if any of the facts shall appear to have been misrepresented, a place shall always be open to any gentleman
who shall think proper to correct them.]”
The very nature of these headings indicates concerted planning for the publication of this material. The portion
of the Boston Evening Post regularly devoted to the Journal was the entire first page, and sometimes more.
5 All items from October 3 to October 9, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , October 20, 1768, p. 2,
Items for October 4 to October 10, inclusive, are omitted from the Boston Evening Post, December 12, 1768, p. 1.
The item listed October 3 is the same as that of October 10 in the New York Journal. All material published in
the New York Journal under the dates October 3 to October 9 are omitted in the Boston Evening Post.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
3
when a motion was made by one of the
bench, that the troops be ordered to remove
at a distance, he being determined not to
assist in administering justice under the
points of bayonets. In the afternoon our
artillery company appeared in the field and
were exercised, their Capt. was informed by
the officer of the regulars, that it was not
customary to beat drum, or fire after the
evening cannon was discharged, the hint was
taken. In King-Street, the soldiers being
gathered, a proclamation was read offering
a reward of 10 guineas to such soldier as
should inform of any one who should at¬
tempt to seduce him from the service, after
which it is said the Col. advised them not to
refuse any money offered as a temptation to
desert, but to bring the offender to him, when
he would take care that it should be the last
offer he should make. This day the Council
met, when Col. Dalrymple informed them
he had procured quarters, and demanded
billeting for the troops.
October 4
Report, that James Murray, Esq; from
Scotland, since 1745, had let his dwelling
house and sugar houses, for the quartering
of troops, at £15 sterling per month, and
that Mr. Forrest from Ireland had let them
a house lately purchased for about £50
sterling, at the rate of £60 sterling per
annum. -
Captain James Scott, master, of the brig
Lydia, owned by John Hancock, Esq; having
his clearance and pass, and being ready for
sailing, informs, that a boat from Commo¬
dore Smith’s ship came along side, and ac¬
quainted him that it was Capt. Smith’s
orders, that he should not leave this harbour '
without his permission.
October 5
The Council now met, and were obliged
to pass the guards placed in the passage
way, entering their chamber. Col. Dalrymple
again informed them that he had provided
quarters for his troops in this town, and again
required of them, that they might now be
billetted, and this notwithstanding the
barracks built at the charge of this govern¬
ment for the reception of the King’s troops
were standing empty. It is said that after
consultation had thereon, the C-n-1 advised
the Governor to appoint a person to make
provision accordingly, provided said person
would be willing to risque his being repaid
therefor by the next General Court — thus
we see the provision made by act of Parlia¬
ment for the ease and safety of the subject
and the convenience and benefit of the troops,
may be set aside and rendered useless by any
commanding officer, who will take upon
himself to hire quarters amongst the in¬
habitants at any rate, in expectation that
such expence will be finally thrown upon the
people.
October 6
In the morning nine or ten soldiers of Col.
Carr’s regiment, for sundry misdemeanors
were severely whipt on the Common; — to
behold Britons scourg’d by Negro drummers,
was a new and very disagreeable spectacle. ;
We are told that Capt. Allen of the Gaspee,
goes passenger in the Lydia, Captain Scott,
for London, with dispatches from the com¬
mander of the troops, on the New England
expedition. No doubt with the glorious
news, that he had effected a landing in the
heart of the country, without the least loss or
opposition to his Majesty’s troops. This day,
by order of Governor Bernard, the south
battery was delivered up to Col. Dalrymple.
If this people had not more patience and
loyalty, than some others have tenderness
and sound policy; what a scene would soon
open! From Cambridge we learn, that last
evening, the picture of - ,x hanging
in the college-hall, had a piece cut out of the
breast exactly describing a heart, and a note,
— that it was a most charitable attempt to
deprive him of that part, which a retrospect
upon his administration must have rendered
exquisitely painful.
October 7 —
Men of war pressing our inward bound
seamen, as they have done for some time
past, to the great damage of the merchant. —
The transactions of the Council relative to
billeting the troops, &c. greatly misrepre¬
sented in the Thursday’s paper by G -
B - , and the S - abuses of this sort
have of late years been many and numerous,
1 Obviously Governor Bernard.
4
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
to the infinite prejudice of Britain and the
colonies.
October 8
This day we have the mortification to hear
from one of our carpenters, that a barrack-
master was contracting with him for the
erecting a large building as a guard-house on
the town’s land, at the only entry way into
this city by land, encouraged thereto by
G - B - ’s declaration that said ground,
and also the Common, was the King’s:
Those lands have been taken possession of
by the troops without any application to the
proper owners. The store-house on the south
battery repairing by the barrack-master, and
the stores belonging to the town, have been
turned out upon the wharf.
October 9
This being the Sabbath, Mr. Kneeland, the
chaplain of one of the regiments, preached
to the soldiers on the Common, and in the
afternoon read prayers; no disturbances
throughout the day. This night the frame
of a guard-house, designed to be erected on
the town land at the entrance of the town,
was cut and otherwise destroyed by persons
unknown.
The Governor has by proclamation offered
a reward of £20 for the discovery of any of
the persons concerned.
October 10x
Two circular letters of Lord Hillsborough’s
this day seen in print, whereby it appears
that the Commissioners of the Board of
Customs had repeatedly complained of being
obstructed in the execution of their office.
The proceedings of Council on the 27th and
29th of July last, which G - r B - d
hitherto prevented being made public, de¬
clares to the world, that no insult had been
offered to the Commissioners; That, “what
happened on the 10th of June, seems to have
sprung wholly from those who complain of
it, and that it seems probable, an uproar
was hoped for and intended to be seconded
by the manner of proceeding, in making the
seizure of the sloop Liberty; that their
quitting the town was a voluntary act,
without any sufficient ground for the same,
and that when at the Castle, there was no
occasion for men of war to protect them.”
“That it is their unanimous opinion, the
civil power does not need the support of
troops; that it is not for his Majesty’s
service, nor the peace of this province, that
any troops be required, or that any came into
the province; and that they deem any per¬
sons who may have made application for
troops to be sent hither, in the highest degree
unfriendly to the peace and good order of
this government, as well as to his Majesty’s
service and the British interest in America.”
How detested and abhorred by the people
must that G - r and those men then be, who ,
not content with having by their misrepresenta¬
tions introduced troops into this province, are
now leaving no stone unturn'd in order to pro¬
cure quarters for them in this metropolis, to the
great vexation and distress of the inhabitants,
as also in violation of law and justice, which
must be the case, while they are quartered in the
town, to disturb and annoy the inhabitants , and
while the barracks provided by the province, at
a very considerable expence, remain empty ! —
The prints of this day contain a very
extraordinary advertisement, published by
order of the commissioners of Customs,
whereby it appears that the inhabitants of
Nantucket, who are mostly of the persuasion
called Quakers, have not accommodated Mr.
Samuel Procter, an officer of the customs
lately sent among them, with an office, and
that therefore orders are issued to their
several officers in America, to make seizure
of all vessels, and their cargoes, that shall
arrive from that island, without proper
documents, signed by the Collector and D.
Comptroller of the port of Boston. — If
quarters are to be provided by the people for
Custom-House officers , who are daily increas¬
ing upon us, as well as for his Majesty's troops,
we shall quickly perceive that we are without
quarters ourselves.
October II
We have certain information, that at a
full meeting of the inhabitants of Lebanon,
a large town in Connecticut, convened the
26th of September last, in consequence of in¬
telligence that troops were soon expected in
x“ Items from October 10 to October 16, 1768, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , October 27,1768,
pp. 2-3. The item for October 10, is the same as that given under the date of October 3 in the Boston Evening Post.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
5
Boston, to be quartered upon the town; said
inhabitants unanimously expressed their
sentiments and resolutions as follows, “That
a union of measures is absolutely necessary,
at this important crisis, in order to maintain
our liberties and immunities, and that they
fully agreed with their brethren of Boston, in
the resolves they passed in a late town meet¬
ing; and that considering themselves con¬
nected by the strongest ties to their fellow
subjects, in this and the neighbouring col¬
onies, they should look upon an attack upon
them, as though they themselves were the
immediate sufferers, and that with a deter¬
minate, unalterable resolution and firmness,
they would assert and support their Ameri¬
can brethren, at the expence of their lives
and fortunes; should their welfare, which is
so intimately blended with their own, de¬
mand the sacrifice.” As it is thought the
above shows the disposition , not only of the
other towns in that colony, but of the rest of
the provinces; how must the friends of Britain
applaud the prudence and wisdom of the late
Committee of Convention in Boston , who in
tenderness to the mother country , and loyalty
to their sovereign , under all their grievances ,
while they adhered strictly to their rights , yet
strongly recommended peace and quietness to
the people , until the effect of their last repre¬
sentation , and petitions could be known.
October 12
Advice received that the merchants in
Connecticut, have agreed as those in Massa¬
chusetts, and New York, &c. had done be¬
fore them, not to import any goods from
Great Britain, till the late revenue acts, &c.
are repealed. — A measure that must have the
greatest tendency to awaken the attention of the
mercantile and manufactoral part of Britain
to their own immediate interest , which they
lately seem to have quite lost sight of. The
rumor of Castle William being delivered up
by the G - r to the King’s troops, arose
from his having permitted a number of
mariners from the ships of war, to land at
Castle Island, six of whom it is said went off
in a boat the last night.
Reports of great desertions and a general
disposition to desert from the regiments here,
which it is said left Halifax under great de¬
jection of spirits; about 21 of the soldiers
absconded the last night, and parties from
the troops with other clothing, instead of
their regimentals, are sent after them. —
Some of the consequences of bringing the troops
into this town , in direct violation of the act of
Parliament , and disregard to the advice of his
Majesty's Council , instead of quartering them
in the barracks on Castle Island , are like to be
the scattering proper tutors through the country ,
to instruct the inhabitants in the modern way
of handling the firelock and exercising the men ,
and also in the various manufactures which the
ingenuity and industry of the people of Great
Britain have hitherto furnished us with. —
This night a surgeon of one of the ships of
war being guilty of very disorderly behaviour,
was committed to gaol by Mr. Justice
Quincy, as was also a person not belonging
to this province, by Mr. Justice Hutchinson,
on complaint of a soldier, that he had been
enticing him to desert; said stranger was
first taken and confined by Captain Willson,
in the Town House for some time, without
warrant or authority from any magistrate —
If the oaths of soldiers who are promised
10 guineas for such discoveries , are to be taken
as sufficient proof , we know not what pro¬
scriptions may take place.
October 13
A private letter from Halifax contains
some particulars relative to the Boston ex¬
pedition, not known before, viz. “That in
consequence of orders received Sept. 11th,
from this place, all the workmen in the
King’s yard, necessary to equip the ships,
were set to work on Sunday; a strict embargo
laid, and guard vessels sent to the mouth of
the harbour to prevent intelligence being
sent, and more caution used than when fixing
out for the Louisbourgh expedition; the em¬
bargo so strict, that an open shallop going a
mackerel catching, was stopt and sent back
to town; and that the troops embarked in as
great hurry as was ever known in time of
war. — What a tragi-commick scene is here
presented! and how must it be viewed by
European politicians ? —
Another letter mentions, that as Halifax
must sink without the support of troops and
ships of war, some of their patriots were
about erecting a liberty pole, and employing
some boys to sing the Liberty Song through
the streets, in hopes it may procure the re¬
turn of those ships and forces or a larger
6 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
number from Britain, in order to quell such
disturbances. Accounts received from var¬
ious parts of this province and the neighbour¬
ing colonies, that the tea table furniture and
other foreign superfluities, have given place
to spinning wheels, looms, and other utensils
of industry; and that the aversion to British
manufactures increases in proportion to the
measures taken to impoverish and enslave
us. It is said the officer who gave out the
orders last evening, observed to the soldiery,
that the practices of the inhabitants to entice
them away from the service, was not out of
affection to them, but from disaffection to
the Government. — Such insinuations are a
little ungenerous , as the town is under the
greatest uneasiness that the troops are not
placed in the government' s barracks , which
being on Castle Island , would have prevented
any desertion , and many other evils and dis¬
orders , which are daily taking place.
His Majesty’s C - 1 met this day, when
we are told the G - r was informed that it
was the opinion of the B - d, that they
were not held by their oaths as C - 1 - rs
to keep such matters and things as he has
or may commit to them, as a secret, unless
the B - d shall judge it for his Majesty’s
interest so to do.1
October 14
The troops still keep possession of Faneuil
Hall, the Court House, Representatives
Chambers, &c, guards placed at the passage
way into the town, near the Neck. Patrolling
companies near the ferry ways, and parties
sent into the country to prevent desertions:
In the forenoon one Rogers, a New-England
man, sentenced to receive 1000 stripes, and
a number of other soldiers, were scourged in
the Common by the black drummers, in a
manner, which however necessary, was
shocking to humanity; some gentlemen who
had held commissions in the army, observ¬
ing, that only 40 of the 170 lashes received
by Rogers, at this time, was equal in
punishment to 500, they had seen given in
other regiments.
October 15
A deserter from the 14th Regiment was
brought in the last evening by one of the
decoy parties, sent into the country, also a
labouring man from Roxbury, with a soldier’s
regimentals on his back, he was confined
for some time in a tent, without lawful war¬
rant, and afterwards committed to prison
by Mr. Justice Hutchinson- — This after¬
noon the troops were drawn up, on the
Common, on the appearance of General
Gage; at sunset there was 17 discharges
from the field cannon; he passed the front
of the battalion in his charriot, preceded by
a number of aid de camps on horseback. —
The arrival of this gentleman from N. York ‘
at this time , is a very agreeable circumstance ,
to the friends of their country ; as his mild and
judicious behaviour in that province , has been
justly applauded; and he comes here deter¬
mined to see and judge for himself.
October 16
This day Capt. Jenkins arrived from
London, who brought a print of August 13th,
in which there is the following article, —
“There are 4000 troops ordered for Boston,
which it is thought will sufficiently intimi¬
date those people to comply with the laws
enacted in England; especially as the other
colonies seem to have deserted them.” — The
design of sending troops among us, was be¬
fore fully comprehended; all the colonies
that have been permitted to meet, have
united with us in humble petitions and re¬
monstrances, and it is hoped that the mer¬
chants of Philadelphia have, or will soon
co-operate in a measure our friends at home
represent as the most likely to procure a
redress of grievances.
October 17 2
We have received certain accounts that
at a town-meeting held at Norwich, a large
and populous town in Connecticut the 4th
instant, they voted, that their representatives
be instructed — “That the several Colonels
within the colony be obliged upon sufficient
penalty, to have a general muster or review
of their respective regiments, in order that
the militia be at all times properly furnished
— That proper encouragement be made for
necessary manufactures in the colony — and
that the most effectual measures be taken to
keep up a union with all the neighbouring
The Boston Evening Post omitted the last part of the above item, beginning with “such insinuations.”
2I terns from October 17 to October 23, 1768, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , November 3, 1768, p. 2.
A JOURNAL oj the TIMES
7
colonies,” they also unanimously voted,
‘‘That they fully approve of and justify the
votes and resolves of the town of Boston in
their late meeting, of the 12th of September
last, and the spirited conduct of the Com¬
mittee of Convention, declaring their al¬
legiance to his Majesty, George the Third,
as well as their resolving in the most spirited
manner to maintain all their undoubted
rights and privileges sacred and inviolable;
that they consider the noble cause we are
engaged in, as the common cause of their
country; and that they will unite both heart
and hand in support thereof, against all its
enemies whatsoever.” —
A captain of the Regulars having a night
before greatly insulted some young gentle¬
men in the coffee-house, calling them
Liberty Boys, rebels, &c. who he was come
to take care of, ordering them to disperse,
and throwing out very indelicate threaten-
ings, being apprehensive of receiving a caning
from one of them, had the precaution to
come into King-Street with S. G.1 who
brought the Riot Act in his pocket, and its
said, threatened to read the same unless the
gentlemen dispersed, which he has since
declared was by order of G - B - . A
greater indignity than which could not have
been offered , and would have shown to what an
odious use , that act may be applied by the tools
oj power. The gentleman who had called said
officer to account, took him into a private
room in the coffee-house, after which he
publickly asked pardon of him, and the rest
of the company he had in his cups affronted.
It is to be hoped that this specimen oj the spirit
oj the inhabitants upon a justifiable occasion ,
may prevent a repetition oj such gross insults.
October 18
Council summoned in the morning of
yesterday, which broke up in the evening,
after coming into a vote of the following im¬
port — ‘‘His Excellency Gen. Gage, having
acquainted the Board that he was in daily
expectation of the arrival of two regiments
from Ireland to Boston: And this Board
being desirous to do all in their power to
accommodate the King’s troops, agreeable
to the act of Parliament in that case made
and provided, do advise, that his Excellency
the Governor, give immediate orders for the
clearing the Manufactory-House in Boston,
being the property of this province, of those
persons who are in the present possession of
the same, to receive those of said regiments
who cannot be accommodated in the bar¬
racks at Castle William, or otherways agree¬
able to said act. — Notwithstanding the re¬
strictions oj the above vote , it proves very dis¬
agreeable to the people , who are not a little ap¬
prehensive that the G— — r who it was thought ,
in a manner dragooned them into the same,
will not jail to improve it to their disadvantage.
At the above Council a worthy member in
rep.y to what the G - r had observed to
Gen. Gage, respecting the vote of the 5th
inst. for billetting the troops, told the
General, that the proviso in that vote, viz.
‘‘That the person nominated to provide
billetting must risque his being repaid there¬
for by the next General Court,” was made
with great deliberation and with express
design to prevent such person from being
deceived by that vote into an apprehension,
that it was in their power to procure a re¬
imbursement for such advancements, but
that it must be wholly left to the next
General Assembly to do thereon as they
might think proper. — Ij the troops quartered
themselves upon us, directly contrary to an act
oj Parliament , can it be thought then, that any
G - 1 Assembly will ever dejray the charge
oj billetting such troops.
October 19
The people dwelling in the Manufactory
House, again secured themselves with bolts
and bars. His honour the Lieut. Governor,
condescended to come with Sheriff Green-
leaf, and to use many arguments and de¬
vices in order to effect their removal; but he
was plainly told, that it was their opinion
and that of others, that they could not be
legally turned out of doors in consequence
of the vote of Council, which was not an act
of the General Court, and that it surely
could not be intended that they should be
ousted in any other way; to which his honour
replied, that the remaining part of Govern¬
ment had given the order. Several persons
have been taken up within these few days
by the soldiery, and confined without war-
1 Evidently Sheriff Greenleaf.
8 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
rant for their so doing; some of our first
merchants greatly affronted by a sea captain
or two, who have been, or probably will be
called to account therefor. — Gentlemen and
ladies coming into town in their carriages,
threatened by the guards to have their brains
blown out unless they stopped. Parties of
soldiers going about the country in disguise
and pretending to be deserters, are guilty of
great impositions, and may occasion much
mischief if not checked in time.
October 20
This morning the justices of the town were
called upon to meet the Governor, General
Gage, and King’s-Attorney, at the Council
Chamber; when met the Governor required
of them to provide quarters for the troops in
this town, but received for answer, that they
apprehended that this application did not
then come properly before them. About
noon the inhabitants were greatly alarmed
with the news that Mr. Sheriff Greenleaf,
accompanied by the soldiery, had forced an
entry sword in hand, into one of the cellars
in the Manufactory-House; Mr. Brown one
of the inhabitants, in attempting to disarm
him, received several thrusts in his cloaths,
the sheriff’s deputy entered with him; he
then gave possession of the cellar to some
of the troops: A large number of soldiers
immediately entered the yard, and were
placed as centinels and guards at all the
doors of the house, and all persons were for¬
bid from going in and out of the same, or
even coming into the yard. The plan of
operation being as it is said to terrify or
starve the occupants out of their dwellings.
— Great numbers of the inhabitants assem¬
bled to be eye witnesses of this attack of the
sheriff, upon the rights of citizens, but not¬
withstanding they were so highly irritated
at his conduct, there was no outrageous
attempts made upon him or his abettor, the
people having had it hinted to them, that
our enemies in advising to this step, had
flattered themselves with the hopes that
some tumults and disorder would arise,
which might be improved to our further
prejudice.1 The sheriff refused giving Mr.
Brown a copy of his warrant or orders for
this doing, and only referred him to the
minutes of Council for his justification, a
copy of which was also refused him. We now
see that the apprehensions of the people re¬
specting an ill improvement of the late vote of
Council was not without just grounds. This
night the sheriff procured guards of soldiers
to be placed at his house for his protection,
a measure that must render him still more
ridiculous in the eyes of the people.
October 21
The siege of the Manufactory House still
continues, and notwithstanding one of their
bastions has been carried by assault; the
besieged yet shew a firmness peculiar to
British Americans: The children at the
windows crying for bread this morning, when
the baker was prevented supplying them by
the guards, was an affecting sight. Some
provision and succours were however after¬
wards thrown into the Castle with the loss of
blood, but no lives. The Council met in the
forenoon at the G - rs, those of them who
were in the late vote greatly disturbed, that
such an illegal method should be taken by
the G - r to carry it into execution, they
were still more disturbed at the treatment
received. Council met in the afternoon at
their own chamber, and are to meet again on
the morrow. The C - / have been really in a
most uncomfortable situation for some time
past , tho ’ very frequently called together by the
G— — r, it is rather to give a colour and counte¬
nance to what he had done or is projecting , than
to receive their information and advice. Col.
Dalrymple was required by the Selectmen to
remove from Faneuil-Hall this day or on the
morrow, agreeable to his word of honour, the
troops which have occupied it for too long a
time already. — The Common this day pre¬
sented more scenes of distress. Dissertions ,
drunkenness and innumerable disorders , which
give uneasiness to the citizens and procure
punishment for the soldiers, are to be imputed
to their being placed in this town rather than on
Castle Island , and is what General Amherst
and other commanders in the late war publickly
declared would be the case , if troops should be
ever quartered in this town , and this opinion
induced the government to be at the expence of
providing suitable barracks at said island. In
the evening terms of accomodation were pro-
1 The item for this date in the Boston Evening Post stops at this point.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
9
posed to Mr. Brown of the Manufactory, but
rejected with disdain.
October 22
This morning we are told that the sheriff,
whom to carry on the allusion we will call the
General, has raised the siege of the Manu¬
factory, with the trifling loss of all his honour
and reputation — the troops were withdrawn
under cover of the night, and it is hoped as
the season is now advanced, that they will be
soon ordered into winter quarters at Castle
Island; sufficient supplies have however been
sent into the Manufactory to serve in case
the attack should be renewed. The G- - r
not liking the late determination of the
justices who refused the demand for quarter¬
ing, their attendance on the G - r yester¬
day was required, and they are to meet again
this forenoon. Reports that Commodore
Hood has been sent for, and his arrival from
Halifax soon expected. A Court Martial, of
which, by commission from the General,
Colonel Dalrymple is president, held this day
for the trial of a soldier of his regiment for
dissertion, who had been brought in by one
of their decoy parties. Plenty of rum has
procured many whippings on the Common
this evening, the man cannot be restrained
from it in town.
The justices adhere to their vote respect¬
ing the G - rs demand for quartering the
troops.
October 23
Advice is received, that six more regiments
may be soon expected from Ireland, and
another from Halifax. If pensions of £10,000
sterl. per annum had been settled upon G— — r
B - d and his partisans during life , rather
than making so unnecessary a military parade,
it would have been a vast saving to the nation.
We have accounts from Louisbourg, that
several of the settlers upon that island have
been lately killed by the savages. This is
what has been expected from the late withdraw
of troops from that place, and it is to be feared
our inland settlements will suffer from the like
cause.
October 24l * 3
Large quantities of tea have been sent
from hence by the merchants to the other
colonies, they not being able to make sale of
it to here. It will give pleasure to many among
us to hear that the owners thereof not finding a
vent for so superfluous and baneful an herb in
any other part of the continent, have been
obliged to reship the same for a European
market 3
This day the brig Try ton, owned by Mr.
D - s, a merchant in this town, was seized
by order of the Board of Customs, on suppo¬
sition it is said, that she had some time ago
been employed in an illicit trade; and that
they may oblige the owner to prove where
and how she has been employed. — This
seizure exhibits another instance of the gener¬
osity of the Commissioners, and their friendly
disposition towards trade, in as much as it is
said, that they have not now any more cause of
suspicion than they had four months past ; dur¬
ing which time she has remained in port un¬
disturbed till the owner had spent £100 ster¬
ling in repairs , and had taken a freight for
Hull, the insurance of which has been some
time past wrote for by the several freighters 3
The following complaint was this day
regularly made, viz.
Suffolk, SS.) To the worshipful Richard
Dana, John Ruddock, and Joseph Williams,
Esqrs. justices of the peace in and for the
said county of Suffolk.
HUMBLY SHEWS,
JOHN BROWN of Boston, in said county,
weaver, that Stephen Greenleaf of Boston
aforesaid, Esq; and Joseph Otis of said Bos¬
ton, gentleman, together with divers other
malefactors and disturbers of the peace of
our said Lord the King, (whose names to the
said complainant are yet unknown, on the
20th day of October instant, with force and
arms, and with strong hand, at Boston afore¬
said, unlawfully and injuriously did break
and enter into the dwelling house of the said
John Brown, then and there being in the
possession of the said John Brown; and that
the said Stephen Greenleaf, and Joseph Otis,
together with the said other malefactors,
1 Items covering the dates, October 24 to October 30, 1768, inclusive, are from the New York Journal, No
vember 10, 1768, pp. 1-3.
3 The above paragraph is omitted from the Boston Evening Post.
8 The italicised portions directly above are omitted from the Boston Evening Post.
10 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
then and there with force and arms and with
strong hand, unlawfully and injuriously did
expel, amove and put the said John Brown
from the possession of the said dwelling-
house, and the said John Brown, so as afore¬
said expelled, amoved, and put out from the
possession of the said dwelling-house, then
and there with force and arms, and with
strong hand, unlawfully and injuriously did
keep out, and still do keep out, to the great
damage of him the said John Brown, and
against the peace of our said Lord the King,
his crown and dignity, and the laws of this
province in that case made and provided.
Dated at Boston, this 24th day of October, in
the eighth year of his Majesty’s reign,
Annoque Domini, 1768. The complainant
aforesaid, prays relief, and that he may be
restored to the possession of the premises.
JOHN BROWN.
Advices from N. York, are, that the in¬
habitants of that city highly approve of our
conduct, and seem resolved to risque their
lives & fortunes in the common cause if the
infatuation of an ab - d M - y, or wicked
G - r, should reduce them to that neces¬
sity: And that letters from London mention,
that they know of no people since the ruin of
the Roman commonwealth, that entertain
more just ideas of liberty than the brave sons
of North-America do; that the petitions of
their merchants, the remonstrances and re¬
solves of their assemblies, and all their public
transactions, display a manly resolution and
quick discernment, that is not to be equalled
by any body of people in the world: And
that if things are not accommodated soon,
the late measures will be attended with al¬
most a general bankruptcy on that side the
water. It cannot but be very flattering and en¬
couraging to Americans to have their conduct
and exertions in support of their just rights and
liberties thus applauded by the more sensible
and discerning part of the nation, may success
attend their and our efforts to ward off the ruin
impending over both countries — .*
We are told that Mr. Fisher, late Collector
of the port of Salem, and a brother-in-law of
Governor Wentworth, of New Hampshire,
has been displaced by the Commissioners,
and another appointed in his room, notwith¬
standing Mr. Fisher’s books were well ap¬
proved of by the Inspector General and others
in office; and that the principal ground of
complaint, excepting his standing fair with
the merchants, is his not having obliged the
poor fishermen to contribute to the support
of Greenwich-Hospital, which they have not
done from the first settlement of the country
to this day, and with good reason, as no one
of them ever has or can expect an admission
into that hospital. — Perhaps Administration
may think a demand of this sort the more neces¬
sary at this time , as a gentleman it is said has
been lately appointed to receive the hospital
money, collected from the seamen employed in
a foreign trade, from our collector , who used to
remit the same clear of charge ; for which im¬
portant service this new officer is to be allowed
two hundred pounds sterling per annum.
A vessel at Marblehead with molasses, has
been seized and libelled in the Court of
Admiralty, on presumption that the whole
quantity she bro’t had not been reported.
Two vessels from Newbury-Port with mo¬
lasses, which had been entered and gauged,
and the duty paid thereon, has had officers
put on board in order to regauge said mo¬
lasses. All our shipping employed in the
coasting business from one part of the
province to another, are now obliged to enter
and clear under all the restrictions of those
which are engaged in foreign voyages. — The
late extension of those acts of Parliament to the
colonies made at first to prevent the running of
wool to France , and such like destructive com¬
merce; the vast multiplication of custom-house ,
revenue and other cown officers , and the ex¬
travagant fees demanded on pretences before
unheard and unthought of. The many in¬
judicious and perplexing restrictions laid upon
our foreign trade, on pretext of preventing the
contraband, nine-tenths of which is more prof¬
itable to the mother country than to the colonies;
and the unbounded power given to the Com¬
missioners to embarrass and distress, rather
than relieve and assist the merchant, has
opperated so effectually to the destruction of our
trade: that necessity is now obliging us fast to
lay aside the use and consumption of foreign
superfluities, and to fly to the ground and manu¬
factures for a support and maintenance.
1 All of the above paragraph was omitted from the Boston Evening Post.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 11
October 25
It being the King’s accession-day, there
was a general appearance of the troops in
the Common, who went through their firings,
evolutions, &c. in a manner pleasing to the
general. A divine of the punny order, being
in the field, was pleased to observe, that we
might now behold American grievances red-
dressed: The glitter of the arms and bayo -
nets, and this hostile appearance of troops in
a time of profound peace, made most of the
spectators very serious, and reminded me of
what a late traveller relates in his account of
Turkey, “That being present on a day when
the Grand Signior was passing from his
palace to his mosque, and observing that the
Janissaries stood without their arms, and
with their hands across, only bowed as the
Sultan passed; he was led thereby to ask a
captain of those guards why they had no
arms? Arms said he thou infidel, they are
for our ENEMIES; we govern our subjects
with the LAW. There was also a time when
Britain was well governed without the aid of a
standing army, and when she would have
thought that a colony held by the sword was not
worth the keeping .
It is said the officers intended a grand
assembly this evening, but the ladies of the
town could not be persuaded into the pro¬
priety of indulging themselves in musick and
dancing with those gentlemen who have been
sent hither in order to dragoon us into meas¬
ures, which appear calculated to enslave and
ruin us.
For this , when beauty's blooming charms
are past ,
Your praise, fair nymphs , to latest times
shall last.1
The justices of the town met twice yester¬
day to consider of the Governor’s reiterated
demand to provide quarters, &c. for the
troops; when Mr. Justice Hutchinson, in¬
formed them, that his Excellency required
their answer not in the usual way, but in
writing, and under their hands; which inti¬
mation was so far from intimidating them
into a compliance, that they this day waited
upon the2 Governor with the following reply:
May it Please Your Excellency ,
YOUR Excellency having been pleased to
demand of us to quarter and billet a number
of officers and soldiers in the publick-houses
in this town: we would beg leave to observe
that in the act of Parliament, a number3 o f
officers are mentioned for that purpose,
namely constables, tytheing-men, magis¬
trates, and other civil officers of the town,
which upon enquiring we cannot find have
been applied to; and also that by the same
act of Parliament the justices are not em¬
powered to quarter and billet the said officers
and soldiers, but in default or absence of the
aforementioned officers; your Excellency will
therefore excuse our doing anything in this
affair till it is properly within our province.
William Stoddard , : John Hill ,
Richard Dana, : Edmund Quincy ,
John Ruddock , : John Avery ,
Nathaniel Balston, : John Tudor.
The ware-houses on Wheelwright’s-wharf,
exclusive of the use of wharves and cellars,
have been this day taken up by the barrack-
masters for the purpose of quartering troops,
at the rate of £ 300 sterling per annum.
October 26
A general Council met this day upon
summons; the Governor proposed in the
forenoon their submitting the dispute rela¬
tive to quartering troops in this town, to the
opinion of the judges of the Superior Court;
which extraordinary motion was with great
propriety rejected. He also recommended
their appointing one or more persons, to join
with General Gage, in hiring barracks for the
troops in this town; the G - r apprehend¬
ing it best that those who it is likely will
finally be saddled with the expence, should
be assisting or at least advising in this mat¬
ter.4 The Council were utterly against this
proposal, as the barracks at Castle-Island
still remained empty, and it would have
countenanced the quartering of troops in
this town; and as the barrack-masters had
1 The italicised poetry and the paragraph directly above are omitted by the Boston Evening Post.
2 In the New York Journal , 1349, p. 1, it is “they,” an obvious misprint.
8 In the New York Journal , 1349, p. 1, this is “numbers,” another obvious printer’s error.
4 The portion back to the last semicolon is omitted from the Boston Evening Post , but was included by the
Pennsylvania Chronicle.
12 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
before taken upon themselves to hire bar¬
racks at their own direction and risque. — Is
it possible to conceive that any Minister will
hereafter have the modesty to make a requisition
on the town or government for a reimbursement
of the charge of quarters , &c. when taxes are
laid and monies daily collecting from this
people , one design of which as is declared in
the act of Parliament imposing those duties ,
being for the defraying the charge of a military
establishment for securing and defending his
Majesty's American dominions ? —
In the afternoon the Governor laid before
the Council a letter he had received from the
Commissioners, intimating that they now
tho’t they might come up to town with
safety to their persons, provided the magis¬
trates were disposed to do their duty; and
requesting the opinion of the Board on this
matter: Whereupon one of those honourable
gentlemen was pleased to say, that he be¬
lieved if they should come up from the Castle
disposed to behave themselves as they ought
to do, which must be very differently from
what they had done before, they might then
remain among us with safety; another of
those gentlemen declared his mind, that all
his Majesty’s good subjects would be safe in
this town, that the Council had already pub¬
lished to the world that their withdraw to
Castle William was an unnecessary tho’
voluntary act of their own, designed to
answer certain purposes which it has ap¬
peared the Council were fully aware of:
However the Governor pressing for an an¬
swer, a sort of a vote with the help of the
S - y, was drawn up relative to this im¬
portant matter, wherein the Council give it
as their opinion, that the Commissioners
might come up to town with safety.
The Governor also laid before the Council
extracts from a letter of Lord Hillsborough’s
which clearly discovers how much this
government as well as individuals are still
misrepresented and injured by G - r
B - -d and others among us; and also
affords the most striking specimens of that
lord’s abilities as a M - r, his thorough
knowledge of, and regard to the British con¬
stitution; and that his kind endeavours to
promote the peace and welfare of poor
America, has been scarce exceeded by a
Grenville.
We hear the G - r was so courtly as to
tell his C - 1, that he required their an¬
swers and advice on such matters and things
as he might lay before them, before they left
the Chamber, and that he should not permit
them to meet together to consult and agree
upon any votes or answers without his being
present with them at those debates. — Poor
gentlemen he cannot forgive them in as much
as by some late votes and publications they had
preferred the honour and good of the province ,
to the credit and private views and interests of
a G - r.1
October 27
The people were this morning filled with
astonishment on hearing that the G - r
had nominated and appointed the J - s
M - y2 already noticed in this Journal, as
one of his Majesty’s justices of the peace for
the county of Suffolk; no appointment of this
sort could have been more unpopular, or have
raised a more general indignation. The in¬
habitants being fully persuaded that by
means of the steady conduct of our bench of
justices in refusing to quarter and billet
troops in this town contrary as they appre¬
hend to an act of Parliament, this gentleman
was added to their number, and that the
G - r will not now want a Justice Gillam,
or a more fit instrument to carry his pur¬
poses into the utmost execution. It is given
out that when this nomination was made,
there was silence for a space of time, and
such signs of disgust as raised the passions
and voice of this G - r, who afterwards
condescended to use arguments and in¬
treaties with his C l in favour of his said
friend, which finally prevailed to obtain the
consent of a majority of two only.
This day Fanueil-Hall was cleared of the
troops and delivered up to the Selectmen by
Col. Dalrymple.3
1 All of the above paragraph was omitted from the Journal by the Boston Evening Post , also all of the items
for October 27.
2 James Murray.
s The above item appears in the Boston Evening Post at the close of the Journal for October 26. As this cor¬
rection was made in the Journal as printed later in Boston it is obviously a correction to make the Journal agree
with the facts. An error of one day in the removal of troops would not have been noticed outside of Boston.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 13
October 28
In the morning it was known that the
troops which lately occupied Fanueil-Hall,
had been placed, or had quartered them¬
selves in the buildings, which had been hired
of James Murray, Esq; but owned by James
Smith, Esq; of Brush-Hill, such a procedure
in the face of an act of Parliament, may well
surprise the inhabitants, and lead them to
think that some gentlemen of the civil or
military order have concluded that they
have a right for certain purposes , of dispens¬
ing with those acts at their pleasure: How¬
ever this may be, it is hoped that the people
will soon have the satisfaction of knowing
whether such steps can be taken by any with
impunity; or whether every order and person
among us is not equally held to the due
observance of law.
The prints and letters brought by Capt.
White, who arrived here yesterday from
London, leads us to hope that American
affairs will quickly take a new turn, as some
late publications, had served to awaken the
attention of the people to their own interest,
which they now find has been ill consulted
by those in power, who either by giving
credit to the accounts received from hence,
thro’ interested and false mediums, or in
order to answer purposes merely ministerial,
had gone into such measures as have thrown
the nation into the utmost confusion and
distress, and if not changed must end in its
total destruction. — A gentleman of this
town now in London, writes that at an inter¬
view with L - d H - IIs - gh, he was
told that it was determined right or wrong to
inforce an obedience to the late regulations.
Several ministerial pieces justify G - 1
Amherst being displaced, and Lord Botte-
tourts being appointed in his room upon this
principle, that every one who held any post
from the Crown, ought to be ordered to their
several stations in the colonies, in order to
exert their whole influence to carry down the
late regulations. In pursuance of this min¬
isterial plan of policy, we now behold a stand¬
ing army and swarms of crown officers , place¬
men, pensioners and expectants, co-operating
in order to subdue Americans to the yoke. Our
hopes are that the people of Britain do now, or
will soon fully perceive that they cannot have
our monies in the way of a revenue , and trade
both; that what the merchants and manu¬
facturers receive, serves to increase the wealth
and oppulence of the naition, while the other
only tends to destroy trade and increase minis¬
terial dependence.
This day the following address was pr-
sented to General GAGE by several gentle¬
men of the Council in behalf of themselves
and the other members who subscribed it,
being all that were present.1
To his Excellency General GAGE,
Commander in Chief of his Majesty's forces
in America.
The ADDRESS of the subscribers, mem¬
bers of his Majesty’s Council of the Province
of Massachusetts Bay:
SIR,
A general Council being held yesterday
gives the distant members of it, together
with the members in the town and neigh¬
bourhood, the pleasure of addressing you. —
We take the first opportunity of doing it; and
at the same time to pay our compliments to
your Excellency.
In this time of public distress, when the
General Court of the province is in a state of
dissolution; when the metropolis is possessed
by troops, and surrounded by ships of war;
and when more troops are daily expected, it
affords a general satisfaction that your Ex¬
cellency has visited the province, and has
now an opportunity of knowing the state of
it by your own observation and enquiry.
Your own observation will give you the
fullest evidence that the town and province,
are in a peaceful state — Your own enquiry
will satisfy you, that tho’ there have been
disorders in the town of Boston, some of
them did not merit notice; and that such as
did, have been magnified beyond the truth.
Those of the 18th of March and 10th of
June are said to have occasioned the above-
mentioned armament to be ordered hither.
— The first was trivial, and could not have
been noticed to the disadvantage of the
town, but by persons inimical to it; espe¬
cially as it happened in the evening of a day
of recreation. The other was criminal, and
1 The above paragraph and all of the address of the Council and General Gage’s reply are omitted by the
Boston Evening Post.
14
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
the actors in it were guilty of a riot; but we
are obliged to say it had its rise from those
persons who were loudest in their complaints
about it, and who by their over-charged
representations of it have been the occasion
of so great an armament being ordered
hither. We cannot persuade ourselves to
believe they have sufficient evidence to sup¬
port such representations; which have most
unjustly brought into question the loyalty of
as loyal a people as any in his Majesty’s
dominions.
This misfortune has arisen from the ac¬
cusation of interested men, whose avarice
having smothered in their breasts every
sentiment of humanity towards this province,
has impelled them to oppress it to the utmost
of their power: and by the consequences of
that oppression essentially to injure Great-
Britain.
From the candour of your Excellency’s
sentiments, we assure ourselves you will not
entertain any apprehension, that we mean
to justify the disorders and riotous proceed¬
ings that have taken place in the town of
Boston. We detest them, and have repeat¬
edly and publickly expressed that detesta¬
tion; and in Council have advised Governor
Bernard to order the Attorney General to
prosecute the perpetrators of them: but at
the same time we are obliged to declare in
justice to the town, that the disorders of the
10th of June last, occasioned by a seizure
made by the officers of the customs, appear
to have originated with those who ordered
the seizure to be made. The hour of making
the seizure (at or near sunset) the threats
and armed force used in it, the forcibly
carrying the vessel away, and all in a manner
unprecedented, and calculated to irritate,
justify the apprehension that the seizure was
accompanied with these extraordinary cir¬
cumstances in order to excite a riot, and
furnish a plausible pretence for requesting
troops. — A day or two after the riot, and as
if in prosecution of the last mentioned pur¬
pose, notwithstanding there was not the
least insult offered to the Commissioners of
the Customs, either in their persons or
property, they thought fit to retire, on the
pretence of security to themselves, on board
the Romney man of war, and afterwards to
Castle William; and when there, to keep up
the idea of their being still in great hazard,
procured the Romney and several other
vessels of war to be stationed as to prevent
an attack upon the Castle: which they
affected to be afraid of.
These proceedings have doubtless taken
place to induce a belief among the officers of
the navy and army, as they occasionally
came hither, that the Commissioners were in
danger of being attacked, and to procure
from those officers representations coincident
with their own, that they really were so.
But their frequent landing on the main, and
making excursions into the country, where
it would have been easy to have seized, if
any injury had been intended them, demon¬
strates the insincerity of their declarations,
that they immured themselves at the Castle
for safety. This is rather to be accounted
for, as being an essential part of the con¬
certed plan for procuring troops to be
quartered here: in which they and their
coadjutors have succeeded to their wish: but
unhappily to the mutual detriment and un¬
easiness of both countries.
We thought it absolutely necessary, and
our duty to the town and province required
us, to give your Excellency this detail, that
you might know the sentiments of this
people, and that they think themselves in¬
jured, and injured by men to whom they
have done no injury. — From the justice of
your Excellency, we assure ourselves your
mind will not admit of impressions to their
disadvantage from persons who have done
the injury.
Your Excellency in your letter to Governor
Bernard, of the 12th of September, gave
notice that one of the regiments from Halifax
was ordered for the present to Castle Wil¬
liam, and the other to the town: but you
was pleased afterwards to order both of them
into the town.
If your Excellency when you know the
true state of the town, which we can assure
you are quite peaceable shall think his
Majesty’s service does not require those
regiments to continue in the town, it will be
a great ease and satisfaction to the inhabit¬
ants, if you will please to order them to
Castle William, where commodious barracks
are provided for their reception; or to Point
Shirley, in the neighbourhood of it: in either
of which or in both they can be well accom¬
modated.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
15
As to the two regiments expected here
from Ireland, it appears by Lord Hills¬
borough’s letter of the 30th of July they were
intended for a different part of North-
America.
If your Excellency shall think it not in¬
consistent with his Majesty’s service that
they should be sent to the place of their first
destination, it would contribute to the ease
and happiness of the town and province, if
they might be ordered hither.
As we are true and faithful subjects of his
Majesty, have an affectionate regard for the
mother country, and a tender feeling for our
own, our duty to each of them makes us
wish, and we earnestly beg your Excellency
to make a full enquiry into the disorders
above mentioned, into the causes of them
and the representations that have been made
about them; in doing which your Excellency
will easily discover who are the persons that
from lucrative views have combined against
the peace of this town and province: Some
of whom it is probable have discovered them¬
selves already by their own letters to your
Excellency.
In making the enquiry, tho’ many im-
prudencies and some criminal proceedings
may be found to have taken place, we are
persuaded from the candour, generosity and
justice that distinguish your character, your
Excellency will not charge the doings of a
few individuals, and those of an inferior sort,
upon the town and province. And with
regard to those individuals, if any circum¬
stances shall appear justly to extenuate the
criminality of their proceedings, your Ex¬
cellency will let them have their effect — On
the same candour, generosity and justice we
can rely, that your Excellency’s representa¬
tions of this affair to his Majesty’s ministers
will be such as even the criminals themselves
shall allow to be just.
Harrison Gray ,
fames Russel ,
John Bradbury ,
Royal Tyler,
Samuel White ,
fames Pitts,
Samuel Dexter,
Na.
Sam. Danforth ,
fohn Hill,
Isaac Roy all,
fohn Ervin g,
fames Bowdoin,
Gam. Bradford,
Tho. Hubbard,
Sparhawk
Boston, October 27, 1768.
To the foregoing address the General gave
the following answer.
To the honourable Messieurs Danforth,
Hill, Royall, Erving, Bowdoin, Bradford,
Hubbard, Sparhawk, Gray, Russell, Brad¬
bury, Tyler, White, Pitts, and Dexter, mem¬
bers of his Majesty's Council of the Province of
Massachusetts-Bay .
GENTLEMEN,
I return you thanks for the honour you do me
in this address, and am greatly obliged to you ,
for the good opinion you are pleased to con¬
ceive of me.
Whatever may have been the particular
causes of the disturbances , and riots , which
have happened in the town of Boston, those
riots, and the resolves which were published ,
have induced his Majesty to order four regi¬
ments to this town, to protect his loyal subjects,
in their persons and properties , and to assist
the civil magistrates in the execution of the laws.
The discipline and order which will be pre¬
served amongst the troops, I trust, will render
their stay, in no shape distressful to his
Majesty's dutiful subjects, in this town; and
that the future behaviour of the people, will
justify the best construction of their past ac¬
tions, which I flatter myself will be such, as to
afford me a sufficient foundation, to represent
to his Majesty the propriety of withdrawing the
most part of the troops.
Boston, Gcto. 28, 1768. THOMAS GAGE.
October 29
The inhabitants of this town have been of
late greatly insulted and abused by some of
the officers and soldiers, several have been
assaulted on frivolous pretences, and put
under guard without any lawful warrant for
so doing. A physician of the town walking
the streets the other evening, was jostled by
an officer, when a scuffle ensued, he was
afterwards met by the same officer in com¬
pany with another, both as yet unknown,
who repeated his blows, and as is supposed
gave him a stroke with a pistol, which so
wounded him as to endanger his life. A
tradesman of this town on going under the
rails of the Common in his way home, had a
thrust in the breast with a bayonet from a
soldier; another person passing the street
16 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
was struck with a musket, and the last even¬
ing a merchant of the town was struck down
by an officer who went into the coffee-house,
several gentlemen following him in, and
expostulating with the officers, were treated
in the most ungenteel manner; but the most
atrocious offence and alarming behaviour
was that of a captain, the last evening, who
in company with two other officers, en¬
deavoured to persuade some Negro servants
to ill-treat and abuse their masters, assuring
them that the soldiers were come to procure
their freedoms, and that with their help and
assistance they should be able to drive all the
Liberty Boys to the devil; with discourse of
the like import, tending to excite an insur¬
rection. Depositions are now taking before
the magistrates, and prosecutions at com¬
mon law are intended, the inhabitants being
determined to oppose by the law such pro¬
ceedings, apprehending it the most honour¬
able as well as the most safe and effectual
method of obtaining satisfaction and redress;
at the same time they have a right to expect
that General Gage will not remain an un¬
concerned spectator of such a conduct in
j any under his command. — Here Americans
you may behold some of the first fruits spring¬
ing up from that root of bitterness a standing
army. Troops are quartered upon us in a time
of peace, on pretence of preserving order in a
town that was as orderly before their arrival
as any one large town in the whole extent of his
Majesty's dominions ; and a little time will
discover whether we are to be governed by the
or the common law of the land.
October 30
Last evening the encampment on the
Common broke up, and the soldiery retired
into winter quarters in this town, but by
whom they have been quartered remains yet
to be enquired. — To the further astonish¬
ment of the inhabitants of this town, we are
told that libels were registered the last even¬
ing by order of the Commissioners, against
twenty-one merchants and others of this
town, for upwards of the sum of £100,000
sterl. on pretence of their having broke some
of the late revenue acts. — What an enemy
has our trade been to the mother country , that it
is thus dealt with!
October 31l
In consequence of the late practices upon
the Negroes of this town, we are told that
orders have been given by the Selectmen to
the town watch, to take up and secure all
such Negro servants as shall be absent from
their master’s houses, at an unseasonable
time of night.
The following complaint was regularly
made this day, viz to the worshipful
Richard Dana and John Ruddock, Esqrs.
two of his Majesty’s justice of the peace
for the county of Suffolk, and of the
quorum.
The subscribers Selectmen of the town of
Boston, complain of John Willson, Esq; a
captain in his Majesty’s 59th Regiment of
foot, a detachment whereof is now quartered
in the said town of Boston, under his com¬
mand, that the said John, with others un¬
known, on the evening of the 28th day of
October current, did, in the sight and hearing
of divers persons, utter many abusive and
threatening expressions, of, and against the
inhabitants of said town, and in a dangerous
and conspirative manner, did entice and
endeavour to spirit up, by a promise of the
reward of freedom, certain Negro slaves in
Boston aforesaid, the property of several of
the town inhabitants, to cut their master’s
throats, and to beat, insult, and otherwise ill
treat their said masters, asserting that now
the soldiers are come, the Negroes shall be
free, and the Liberty Boys slaves — to the
great terror and danger of the peaceable in¬
habitants of said town, liege subjects of his
Majesty, our Lord the King, and the great
disturbance of the peace and safety of said
town.
Wherefore your complainants, solicitous
for the peace and wellfare of the said town,
as well as their own, as individuals, humbly
requests your worship’s consideration of the
premises, and that process may issue against
the said John, that he may be dealt with
herein according to law.
Joshua Henshaw , : John Rowe ,
Joseph Jacks on , : Sam. Pemberton ,
John Hancock , : Henderson Inches.
What must the good people of England
think of our new conservators of the peace,
1 Items from October 31 to November 6, inclusive, are from the New York journal, November 17, 1768, pp. 2-3.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
17
or rather what would the present Ministry
have thought and done, had the inhabitants
of this town stood chargeable upon the oaths
of creditable witnesses, with the crime of
having solicited the soldiers now quartered
upon us, and as is apprehended contrary to
an act of Parliament and the Bill of Rights,
to cut their officers throats and desert the
service with promises of rewards for so doing?
~ All the troops in town marched into the
Common this morning, drumming the dead
beat; at 8 o’clock, Richard Arnes, a private
of the 14th Regiment, dressed in white,
having just before had the sacrament ad¬
ministered to him by the Revd. Mr. Palms,
chaplain of the regiment, who also accom¬
panied him, was pursuant to the sentence of
a General Court Martial, shot for desertion:
The regiment then marched round the corpes
as it lay on the ground, when it was put into
the coffin, which was carried by his side into
the Common, and buried in a grave near
where he was shot, and the church service
read over him. This was the first execution
of the kind ever seen in this town, tho’ dur¬
ing the late war a much larger body of troops,
had been encamped here: Some of the first
ladies among us presented a petition for his
pardon the evening before, and we flattered
ourselves (as it was his first desertion, and in
a time of peace, and which could not have
happened had he been quartered agreeable
to act of Parliament on Castle-Island) it
would have met with success; but the num¬
erous desertions from so important a service
as the troops are now engaged in, it seems
prevented this act of grace.
for this behaviour, for which boldness he was
knocked down with a musket and much
wounded, they went off undiscovered;
another had a thrust with a bayonet near
his eye, and a gentlemen of this town in¬
forms, that a day or two before the physician
already mentioned met with his abuse, he
overheard several officers discoursing, when
one of them said, if he could meet that
doctor he would do for him.
The troops still occupy the Town-House,
and the main guard is fixed in a house on the
south-side of the same, and two pieces of
mounted cannon planted before the door.
In pursuance of a complaint made to Mr.
Justice Dana, and Ruddock, relative to
Capt. Willson and others, a warrant was
issued by those justices for taking up said
Willson and bringing him before them, which
was delivered to Benjamin Cud worth, a
deputy sheriff of the county, who being
opposed in the execution of it, applied to the
high sheriff, who with divers constables went
to apprehand him; at first he also met with
opposition from one of the officers, but the
said Willson soon after surrendered himself
to the sheriff, who brought him before the
justices at Faneuil-Hall, which was crowded
with people; and after the examination of
divers witnesses upon oath, the complaint
was so well supported, that the justices
ordered him to become bound with sufficient
sureties for his appearance at the Superior
Court in March next, to what shall then be
alledged against him, touching the matters
complained of, as also for his good behaviour
in the mean time.
November 1
HE last night a soldier passed the
guards, at the south part of the town,
and was haled, but not answering, they
followed and fired at him several times, and
being impeded in running by the sea-weed
on the beach, he was taken and brought
back to the guards: This man was present at
the execution in the morning, but nothing is
like to prevent desertion while the troops
remain in this place.
An householder at the west part of the
town, hearing the cries of two women in the
night, who were rudely treated by some
soldiers, ventured to expostulate with them
November 2
Two men and a lad coming over the Neck
into the town, were haled by one guard and
passed them: soon after they were challenged
by another, they replied they had just an¬
swered one, but they hoped they were all
friends; upon which a soldier made a pass or
two with his bayonet at one of them, who
parried the bayonet at first, but was after¬
ward badly cut on the head and grievously
wounded in divers parts of his body. One
assing the south town watch was challenged
ut not stopped, he drew his sword and
flourished it at the watch, using very insult¬
ing language; he was then discovered to be
18 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
an officer a little disguised, another soon
joined him, full as abusive, both declared
that if they had been challenged in the street
and no orders shewn, they would have de¬
prived the watchman of his life. A country
man also coming into town, was thought to
have approached nearer the guards than he
should have done, for which offence he was
knocked off his horse with a musket. The
other evening three officers unknown being
together at the south part of the town, were
heard to say, by a person of credit, “that if
the Negroes could be made freemen, they
should be sufficient to subdue these damn’d
rascals,” perhaps these doings and others of a
like nature , are exhibited as specimens of the
lenient and persuasive methods , which Lord
H - Is - gh intimates are to be taken to
bring back his Majesty's misled subjects to a
sense of their duty; be this as it may , the
sufferers and the abused , are seeking satisfac¬
tion in a legal manner.
Capt. Howard arrived from Corke, which
he left the 7th September, in company with
the man of war and 11 cats, having on board
as was reported 2000 troops for Boston. But
know it Britons! 50,000 will not give you so
good a hold, as you once had, in the affections
of this people.
This night orders were it is said read to
the officers to hold the troops in readiness
against the morrow, as a large mob was then
expected.
November 3
We can now account for the orders of the
last night. This morning Mr. Arodi Thayer,
marshal of the Court of Admiralty for three
provinces, with a hanger at his side, came to
the house of John Hancock, Esq; to serve
him with a precept for £9000 sterling, and
having arrested his person, demanded bail
for £3000 sterling. Mr. Hancock offered him
divers estates to the value thereof, which
were absolutely refused; he then made him
an offer of £3000 in money, and afterwards
of £9000, which were also refused; Mr.
Thayer alledging that such were his direc¬
tions. Mr. Hancock however having heard
of the orders and expectations of last even¬
ing, prudently determined to give bail, as
did five other gentlemen arrested for the
same sum, and on the same account from the
like prudent motives. Thus the Commis¬
sioners of the Customs not satisfied with the
seizing and forfeiture of the sloop Liberty,
for a non-entry of a part of her cargo of
Madeiria wines, which before the American
Revenue Acts were duty free, have gone
beyond every thing of the kind before heard
of in America, in prosecuting the supposed
owner and each person they imagined con¬
cerned in unloading the wines, for the value
of the whole cargo and treble damages. —
The public will now impartially judge whether
this conduct does not bear much the same com¬
plexion which his Majesty' s Council expressly
declared of the seizure of said sloop , namely to
occasion a tumult , and thereby give the same
colouring for a necessity of quartering the
troops contrary to act of Parliament in the
body of the town , instead of the barracks at
Castle-Island , that was originally given for
their being ordered here.
This day at a general Council, the G - r
as we are told, reminded them of an im¬
portant article of Lord Hillsborough’s letter,
viz. where he “strongly recommends a re¬
form of the magistrates of the town, since
they have some of them been heretofore
deficient in the execution of their trust, and
hopes that such gentlemen will be found to
fill up those important places, who will be
zealous to support the law and the constitu¬
tional authority of Parliament.” As to the
first part the G - r was pleased to say, that
he should not at present enter upon it, but
as to the latter he had and should be casting
about in his mind, who were the proper per¬
sons to be appointed; he then was pleased to
nominate the new appointed Justice Mur¬
ray, as a justice of the quorum, but the
Board are to have it under consideration till
the next general Council.1 — It appears Lord
Hillsborough has been greatly abused in the
accounts sent him from hence: We know of
no magistrate who has been deficient in the
execution of his trust, but this we know, that
no one of them had the presence of the
G - r to countenance them, nor did the
sheriff whose duty on all such occasions is
to be present and active, even make his ap¬
pearance, but the inhabitants were left to
exert themselves, and finally by their own
virtue surpressed the tumults and restored
1 From this point on the rest of the itemjor November 3 is omitted from the Boston Evening Post.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 19
order to the town. — The nomination for the
quorum may shew the people how much the
G - r despises the murmurs or sentiments
relating to any part of his conduct.
November 4
The following letter taken from a gazetteer
of August 26, has been shown in the last
Thursday’s paper, viz. Whereas it has been
ublickly reported, that the Earl of Hills-
orough has neglected to deliver a petition
from the Assembly of the Massachusetts
Bay, to his Majesty at a time when his lord¬
ship had not even seen the said petition. I
think it my duty to inform the public that
such insinuations are entirely groundless.
My reasons for any delay and proceedings
therewith, I have duly given the Assembly
in my letters to them of the 12th and 18th
of March, and 27th of June.
Dennys De Berdt.
By this letter it appears that a young
secretary has been able to make a screen of
an old agent: The truth is, that our Assem¬
bly were informed, that when this letter first
got to hand, the great were still engaged in
electioneering, which prevented its being
handed to Lord Hillsborough; but we were
soon led to understand that a petition offered
by Mr. De Berdt, could not be presented to
his Majesty, he being an agent for the House
only; a block thrown in the way by our good
G - r, who had the last winter endeavoured
that the Assembly might join the Council in
choice of an agent, who if not chosen through
his influence, would yet have been subjected
to his negative; and be it known, that in all
provincial letters and instructions to their
agent, the concurrence of the several branches
of government has not been thought neces¬
sary; in which case our representatives could
never in a regular way have conveyed to
Administration, or the people of England,
the pure unadulterated sentiments and views
of their constituents, as has been done by
them for some time past; tho’ our enemies
have falsely asserted, that they were only
the sentiments of a faction.
November 5
Last evening the guards were withdrawn
from the cellar of the Manufactory House,
and Mr. Brown and the other manufacturers
are again permitted to pursue their several
businesses; they have still a right of action
for damages against the sheriff and other
trespassers; and it may be remarked, that he
is the first civil officer of the province, who
ever applied for the aid of the King’s troops,
and this before he had taken the previous
steps which the law required. — This day j
the Pope and other effigies were carried
through the town, as on these anniversaries
is customary, with great decency and de¬
corum, agreeable to their resolution of 1765, ,
which has been practiced ever since.
November 6
This being Lord’s day, the minds of serious
people at public worship were greatly dis¬
turbed with drums beating and fifes playing,
unheard of before in this land — What an
unhappy influence must this have upon the
minds of children and others , in eradicating
the sentiments of morality and. religion , which
a due regard to that day has a natural tendency
to cultivate and keep alive .
November 7l
John Fenton, Esq; allied by marriage to
the late Surveyor General; has been removed
from his place of Deputy Receiver of the
new duty, and Nath. Coffin, Esq; appointed
in his room. The Receiver General resides in ,
this town.
A Court of Admiralty this day, when the
libels entered against John Hancock, Esq;
and others were read and the court adjourned
to the 28th inst.
Letters from Jamaica acquaint us, that
the General Assembly there was dissolved
on the 22d of September last, by the Lieut.
Governor of that island for their not com¬
plying with his Majesty’s express command,
for payment of the monies issued by the
treasury of Great Britain, for the island sub-
sistance of the troop stationed there during
the discontinuance of their Assembly. — A
dispute may also arise with us relative to the
barracks and billeting of troops here , during
the discontinuance of our General Assembly :
The G - r as also Col. D - Iple, declared
before the Council that they made no demand
for the hiring of barracks , but only for the
1 Items for November 7 to November 13, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , November 24, 1768, p. 2.
20 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
utensils and billeting , they being at liberty to
hire barracks on the King's account; this was
perhaps to draw the C - / into a vote for
providing barracks , utensils , and billeting ,
which was then represented as the utmost that
would be desired on account of the troops; but
it is now intimated by the G - r that the
charge of barracks must be finally defrayed by
the province . -
We have also advice from South-Carolina,
that their new Assembly was to meet on the
25th ultimo: As it was imagin’d they would
not recede from the resolutions of the Massa¬
chusetts ninety two,1 which are highly ap¬
plauded in the province, a dissolution of that
Assembly was expected soon after. — The
British ministry seems to have adopted French
maxims and customs with respect to their
treatment of American parliaments , which
must not only be well relished by a free people ,
but be soon productive of very salutary effects.
November 8
The Commissioners of the American
Board of Customs, have this day thought
proper to leave Castle William, the seat of
their chosen residence for some months past,
and to make their re-entry into this metro¬
polis. — We wish we had full evidence , that
during this recess , they had not been fully em¬
ployed in transmitting such accounts , and pro¬
jecting those measures , that have had too direct
a tendency to enflame and further embroil the
mother country and the colonies; and this at a
time when a return of mutual affection and
confidence is so necessary for the preservation
and happiness of both. -
A letter makes its appearance in the Court
Gazette, exactly in the stile of the true
patriot , the writer asserts, “That Mr.
HOLLOWELL, by his temperate caution
and care not to aggravate any thing in his
accounts, has given general satisfaction,” he
condoles us as “fatally misled by evil-minded
men of malicious dispositions, into measures
which tend to public ruin,” and declares
“that the nonsense of Wilkes and Liberty is
now at an end; that no one ever made a
question about the propriety and necessity
of shooting forty men among the rioters at
Huxam, in 1757, but when ill humours are
set afloat , (a phrase borrowed from a gov¬
ernors speech) the clearest point will be
disputed; that the King’s servants seem
determined to maintain the supreme legisla¬
tive authority of Great Britain, and if our
people flatter themselves with indulgence in
their frowardness, they will be deceived; as
in short all men of understanding, except a
few interested merchants who are afraid of
their American debts, are calling out for a
much greater exertion of authority.”
Whether the above is London or Boston
manufacture, the public may judge, be this
as it may, it certainly carries the plain mark
of the beast in its forehead; the writer, who is
probably the one that has been soliciting for
a thousand a year out of the American
revenue in addition to his present salary,
seems to make quite light of the interest of
the British merchants; The revenue, the
revenue, is all and in all with him; to secure
which he calls out for still greater exertions
of power, and what cares he, tho’ these
merchants should loose the several millions
due to them from America, in so ridiculous a
scuffle: But know it B - d^ so soon as the
people of Britain shall put the whole produce
of American revenue into one scale , and the
profits and advantages of their colony trade in
the other , they will perceive the former at once
to kick the beam; — theny and not till then may
we expect to see some men , who from selfish
views have projected and recommended schemes
destructive to the commerce of Britain and the
welfare of the colonies , reap the fruits of their
doings , and those who have generously pre-
fered the interest of the nation to their own , the
honours and applause they are justly entitled
to.
November 9
Yesterday the Superior Court met by ad¬
journment at the Court House. In the after¬
noon a motion was made by J - s O - s,
Esq;2 one of the bar, that the court would
adjourn to Faneuil-Hall, not only as the
stench occasioned by the troops in the
Representatives Chamber, may prove in¬
fectious, but as it was derogatory to the
honour of the court to administer justice at
the mouths of cannon and the points of
bayonets. — This day the troops were re-
1 This refers to the number of the members of the Assembly who refused to rescind the Massachusetts Circular
Letter on the demand of Lord Hillsborough.
2 Bernard, Governor of Massachusetts.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
21
moved from that Chamber, much to the
satisfaction of the people who have looked
upon their being placed there at first by the
G - r as an insult upon the whole province.
The Town-House watch being on the
return at 2 o’clock in the morning, heard a
great noise and uproar in the streets, they
soon found it was made by a number of
officers, and presuming to speak to them,
tho’ with great mildness, they were threat¬
ened with being seized and put in irons, and
otherways insulted in a gross manner. —
Several soldiers, late at night, entered the
house of Mr. Justice W - Is, and in humble
imitation of some of their superiors, were
very free with the blacks, to whom they
declared a liking, and that their assistance
was wanted; the justice being confined by
sickness, was obliged to call in the assistance
of some neighbours, who coming armed soon
forced those intruders to decamp. — A mar¬
ried woman living in Long Lane, returning
home in the night, was seized by the neck
and almost strangled, she was then thrown
upon the ground, and treated with great in¬
decencies: Another woman at New Boston
was rudely handled. Mr. N - w - 1 of
Needham, passing near the town gates, was
struck with a musket and without the least
provocation, received another stroke from a
drunken guard, which stunned him. — The
mention of such abuses as these is by no means
intended to insinuate a want of care in the
commanding officers, but to show the great
impropriety and grievance of quartering troops
in the town , in as much as even under the eye
of the General , the inhabitants are exposed to
such great insults and injuries .
A large guard house for the soldiery is
erected on the town land, near the Neck, and
almost finished, notwithstanding Mr. Pier-
pont, who had hired it of the Selectmen for
about 4 years past, did, by their order, and
before witnesses, forbid their erecting the
( same. — These are times in which no inhab¬
itant knows what ground he stands upon , or
| ican call his own.
A general Council this day, at which we
hear the G - r proposed his publishing a
proclamation relative to the justices of the
town, founded on what Lord Hillsborough
has written, concerning their conduct in the
late times; the Council did not approve of this
proposal , being aware it would have led some
to conclude that they were not of the mind that
said Lord had been imposed upon in the ac¬
counts transmitted from hence , respecting the
behaviour of those magistrates.
November 10
This day the G - r required the attend¬
ance of his Majesty’s justices of the peace, at
the Council Chamber; they attended ac¬
cordingly, James Murray, Esq; the first made
justice on the reforming plan being among
them; when to keep up the appearance of
their having been negligent in their duty,
Lord Hillsborough’s letter was read to them,
after which they were exhorted by the G - r
to a faithful and diligent discharge of the
duties of their office; — we do not hear that it
was recommended to them to proceed accord¬
ing to law , with those who have quartered the
troops upon us, or against such officers and
soldiers as have insulted the public, injured
and abused the subject, and thus broken the
King's peace.
Several large transports just arrived from
Cork, having on board part of the 64th and
65th Regiments, the remainder with the
Hussar frigate were parted with in a storm
ten days ago. — It is to be hoped that the
arrival of these troops will lead some officers to
conclude that the aid and countenance of our I
Negro gentry may now be dispensed with. ... J
November 11
What an appearance does Boston now
make! One of the first commercial towns in
America, has now several regiments of
soldiers quartered in the midst of it, and
even the Merchants Exchange is picquetted,
and made the spot where the main guard is
placed and paraded, and their cannon
mounted; so that instead of our merchants
and trading people transacting their busi¬
ness, we see it filled with red coats, and have
our ears dinn’d with the music of the drum
and fife. — How would the merchants of Lon¬
don be startled if they should behold their ex¬
change thus metamorphosed.
November 12
Reports that the small-pox is on board
some of the Irish transports; we have certain
information that several had that distemper
on board one of them since she left Cork;
notwithstanding which, said ship has been
22 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
suffered, contrary to the law for preventing
the spread of infectious disorders to come
up into the town, and numbers of the
passengers have been seen walking the
streets. — The bringing the small-pox among
us at this time would open a new scene of dis¬
tress , as we have a great addition to our num¬
bers , and the risque of taking the infection
would deter our coasters and country people
from coming in this winter , with the necessary
supplies of provision and fuel.
November 13
The parade of the guards on week days,
grander than in time of war, and nothing
lessened or omitted this Sabbath; Commo¬
dore Hood, and several men of war arrived
from Halifax. -
November 14x
The Commissioners of the Customs again
hold a board in this town; as the day of their
appointment is noted in their callender as a
holy day, on which no business is to be done
in the several offices, we may probably hear
that the day of their restoration is alike dis¬
tinguished; however it is to be hoped that the
restoration of sound British policy may soon
make a reform in their callender , and obliter¬
ate such public marks of vanity and folly.
The inhabitants of Windham, a consider¬
able town in Connecticut, have lately in¬
structed their representatives to “encourage
a spirit of industry and frugality, and the
woolen, linen, glass, and paper manufac¬
tures,” rightly judging that under the diffi¬
culties brought upon them by the late Revenue
Acts , no step can have a greater tendency to
procure them relief. — They also instruct their
representatives “to come into effectual
measures to cement and confirm the union
between that and the other governments in
America; and that they endeavour to bring
' about a general congress,” — all founded upon
the sound maxim , respecting the colonies ,
divided they fall , united we stand.
November 15
We are informed the Assembly of the
lower counties of Philadelphia, have ap¬
pointed Dennis De Berdt, Esq; their agent
in England, and have petitioned the King,
Lords and Commons for redress of the
grievous burdens laid on America. — No one
Assembly upon the continent have , that we
hear of, receded from the resolutions of the
Massachusetts ninety two , and every of them
excepting Halifax and Pensacola , whose ex¬
istence depends on the smiles of a court , have
harmonized with this province in their resolves
and petitions respecting the new regulations;
measures which must in the end prove more
detrimental and ruinous to Britain than the
colonies.
Letters from South-Carolina inform, that
all the King’s troops were withdrawn from
the out posts and ordered for Boston, and
that the companies stationed at Bermuda
and New Providence, were also withdrawn
from those islands. — And we have accounts
from West Florida, that the settlers there
were in great fear and distress at the removal
of the fifteen companies from that province,
as they lay surrounded by savages, from
whom they have no defence; that one of
their planters had lost 30 head of cattle,
supposed to be carried off by the Indians,
and that they could not account for so singu¬
lar a measure, as the taking off troops from
a frontier province to place them in an
interior country. — The conduct of our present
Ministry may convince the nation that there
are mysteries in politicks as well as religion.
The inhabitants of town and country,
greatly disturbed, that numbers of the
passengers of those ships which have had the
small-pox on board, have been permitted to
land in this town; and we hear that the
Selectmen waited upon General Gage, and
acquainted him with the laws of this prov¬
ince for preventing infectious sickness in the
town; and proper measures are taking for
the prevention of those ill effects which are
apprehended.
rlt is confidently reported that the princi¬
pal design of Lord George Campbell, the
Governor of Halifax, who came passenger in
the Romney man of war, Commodore Hood,
is to make a representation to General Gage,
of the present deplorable state of that
colony, occasioned by the withdraw of the
King’s troops and ships of war; Halifax it is
1 Items from November 14 to November 20, inclusive, are from the New York Journal, December 1, 1768,
pp. 1-2.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
23
said is like to be deserted on this occasion,
the tradesmen and many others being
obliged to follow the fleet and army, upon
which in that new settlement they depended
for a subsistance. — Thus thro ’ the misrepre ~
sentation of interested and designing men , and
under the pretence of aiding the civil govern¬
ment in the old colonies , where such aid is not
only entirely needless , but highly affrontive and
grievous; the new colonies , both north and
south which have been thought by former Ad¬
ministration to be of so much consequence , and
upon which such large sums have been ex¬
pended by the crown , are now not only exposed
to a foreign enemy and the savages , but de¬
prived in a great part , of the very means of
subsistance.
November 17
Capt. Watts arrived from London, which
he left about the 25th of Sept, in coming into
the harbour, he received a shot from an
armed schooner, which carried away one of
his yards. Her boat then boarded him and
took away sixteen of his seamen: — the im¬
portance of the service in which the fleet is now
engaged may perhaps apologize for their thus
distressing our merchants. —
It has transpired, that our G - r and
those of the other colonies have orders from
the American S - y, not to lay before their
several Assemblies any of his letters, or even
extracts from them for the future, without
special directions for so doing. — The freedom
with which even the people of Britain have
treated his circular letters may account for this
prohibition , but however prudent it may be
with respect to himself. Judging by the speci¬
mens before given us, it cannot be very agreeable
to the public to have the matter of such letters
partially dealt out to them , and interlarded with
the comments and glosses of a G - r, or the
creatures of a G - r in whom there is no
ground for placing the least of our confidence.
We are told that Robert Auchmuty, Esq;
Judge of Admiralty for this province, &c.
has a yearly salary of £600 sterling allowed
him out of the American revenue; and that
three other Judges of Admiralty for North-
America will be appointed with the like
salaries. — The only recompence former Judges
of Admiralty have received for their services
was an allowance of 5 per ct. out of the pro¬
ceeds of all condemnations; and a fixed allow¬
ance of £100 sterling per annum, would have
satisfied the first lawyers among us for capacity
and character; and will administration ever be
able to persuade Americans that the intention
of this revenue is to lessen the national debt,
when they behold it so lavishly bestowed one
way and another upon the tools of power; or
rather must it not serve fully to convince them,
that the fruits of our toil and labour torn from
us by that project , is to be held out as bates and
lures to such base Americans as can sacrifice
their country in order to realize them.
The little new settlement on the island of
St. John has been so noticed by Administra¬
tion, that Isaac Deschamps, Esq; is ap¬
pointed Chief Justice there with a salary of
£300 sterling per annum, which is above
double what any first justice ever received
in this province, — what pretty Ministerial
pickings does the American revenue already
afford!
November 18
The following ships of war now ride at
anchor in this harbour and more expected.
Romney, Mermaid, Glasgow, Beaver, Viper,
Senegall, Bonetta, Magdalene, Hope, Little
Romney, and Sultana, besides the ships
which brought the troops from Ireland. The
64th Regiment of those troops Col. Pomroy,
are landed and quartered in town, the 65th
Regiment Col. Mackey, at Castle Island;
they consist of 500 men each. — The bat¬
talion-men of the detachment of the 59th
are to return to Halifax. — What an amazing
expence must be occasioned by the movements
of the troops and ships of war throughout the
whole extent of this continent: Modern states¬
men are extremely dexterous in figuring in and
out, it is to be wished for the good of the nation,
that they were as expert in figuring up.
November 19
Before the dissolution of our Assembly in
June last, the Council thought it their duty
to petition his Majesty and both houses of
Parliament on the American revenue; a draft
of a petition to the King was reported and
the C - 1 entreated that the Assembly
might continue till this and their other^ad-
dresses were completed, which would not
have taken them a day; the Court1 was
1 General Court, i.e. the combined legislative body of Massachusetts.
24
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
prorogued notwithstanding. The Council
were still for proceeding in their petitions;
but the G - r insisted upon it that the
C - 1 were annihilated in their legislative
capacity; that they existed only as a privy
C - 1 and in this latter capacity could not
act without his presence and permission,
which he should not afford them in the busi¬
ness they were upon. The C - 1 complained
of this novel injurious treatment , and were it
not for the critical situation of our affairs,
would probably have remonstrated to Ad¬
ministration; after much altercation they
were allowed to petition the King, but as¬
tonishing as it is, were prohibited addressing
either houses of Parliament. The first petition
was completed, going rather on the inex¬
pediency of the late acts, than considering
the matters of right, and was committed to
the G - r, at his own desire, to be trans¬
mitted to Lord Hillsborough, and by him
presented to his Majesty. — The Court Ga¬
zette now informs us that “the petition of
his Majesty’s Council of this province, has
been graciously received by his Majesty;
and that the petition with his Excellency the
Governors reasonings in support of it, would
have a due consideration before the meeting
of Parliament!”
The mention made in the Gazette of the
reasonings of Mr. B - d in support of said
petition has greatly alarmed the C - 1, who
it is said, are very suspicious that the G - r
has been capable of a piece of chicanery
below the character of the meanest member
of community; it has some how got abroad
that the B - d in their petition humbly
intreat that his Majesty would be graciously
pleased to interpose with his Parliament for
the prevention of any monies being drawn
from his Majesty’s American subjects by
way of revenue, and that the G - r’s
glosses upon this and other paragraphs, are
calculated to mislead Administration into
an apprehension that they are not so desir¬
ous of a repeal of those acts , but that the
monies arising therefrom might not be drawn
out of the country, but expended among us,
whereby the great objection to those acts
would be removed out of the way: It is said
the C - 1 have had several meetings on
this occasion, and diverse committees have
waited upon the G - r for a sight of his
letters and reasonings without obtaining that
satisfaction, and are therefore, as it is said,
taking measures to detect his management
with Lord H - sb - h. — We have here a
striking specimen of the arts that have been
made use of by some men, to beget, increase ,
and continue the misunderstanding between
Great-Britain and her colonies, that threatens
the ruin of both ; — how infatuated must that
man be, who from the success of former tricks
and subterfuges , at length becomes bold enough
upon affairs of the greatest importance , and
at the most critical season, to hold out false
lights to Administration, and through them to
a British Parliament, and even Majesty itself?
To such a degree does ambition and avarice
sometimes blind the human mind.
The G - r we are informed not long
since expressed himself to a gentleman of
character in something of the following
manner, I believe the petition of the C - 1
will be granted, for I have endeavoured to
shew Administration the reasonableness of
the petition, and that the whole revenue
should be expended in America; and as my
own support is not adequate to my station,
I expect a good share of it myself.
This exactly agrees with what the public
papers have years ago declared to be the
views of that gentleman from a civil and
military establishment in America. — The
revenue, the American revenue, too trifling
indeed to be the object of a national concern,
has been held up to Administration by de¬
signing and interested men on this side the
water, with a view to enrich themselves ; and
some late appointments in America, plainly
shew what bates have been held out to en¬
gage a number of warm coadjutors in this
dishonourable cause. Hence Administration
has been abused by being told that only a
very few in America were dissatisfied with the
late acts of Parliament, and hence disturb¬
ances have been created and greatly exag¬
gerated in order to form a pretence for the
dissolution of the government of this prov¬
ince, and the introduction of a military force
to stifle the complaints of this loyal and
suffering people.
November 20
It is to be wished that some part of the
parade of relieving the guards, &c. might be
dispensed with upon the Sabbath; whereby
the inhabitants would be less disturbed, and
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
25
the soldiery have more time to attend the
more important duties of this holy day.
November 21x
An order of G r B d’s for a Thanks¬
giving was yesterday read in the several
churches1 2; in which we are called upon to
give thanks, among other public blessings,
“for the opening of new sources of wealth
to the nation.” If the American revenue is
hereby intended, we believe it will scarcely
serve to slack the thirst of those M - s and
G - s3 who have opened it. This we know,
that it has entirely choaked up or diverted
another way, a trade, which tho’ unhappily
for Great-Britain, she has made contraband,
was in truth a grand source of national
wealth. Before the project of an American
revenue, our adventurers in that trade had
nothing to encounter more formidable than
the Spanish and French guarda costa's;
duties were indeed then laid upon foreign
sugars, molasses, and a few other articles,
but Administration, not intending a revenue ,
they were wisely winkt out of sight: Then
it was, that the silver and gold, together with
the various products of the French and
Spanish West-Indies, the Spanish Main, and
the Mediterranean, were drawn from these
places, in exchange for the produce of the
continent, and British manufactures; this
trade increased our shipping and seamen,
and by yielding the best of remittances,
enabled us greatly to enlarge the import and
consumption of British made goods; and
scarce an article of foreign ware , interfering
with those of our mother country introduced
into the plantations thro * this channel; tho’
from selfish motives it has been otherwise
reported to Administration: But now, un¬
happily for the nation, in order to secure the
duties from which the American revenue was
expected; custom-house officers, &c. have
been multiplied, and they enabled by new
acts of Parliament, and the extention of
former acts to the colonies, to harrass and
ruin the adventurer: and what is still more
surprising, modern ministers, by adopting
the Spanish policy, have converted the ships
of war into mere guarda costa s , which in¬
stead of aiding and assisting the merchant
in the prosecution of this trade, have been
wholly employed in seeking its destruction:
The Dutch and other European nations have
availed themselves of our infatuation, and
are now enriching their several countries by
a trade, which has been thus torn from the
colonies, and lost to the nation, notwith¬
standing we have such peculiar advantages
for the carrying of it on.
November 22
Lord Botetourt of Virginia, in the room of
the much respected General Amherst, lately
displaced, we find is arrived at his capital,
and agreeable to prediction has begun his
administration with an action of eclat, hav¬
ing not only dissolved the patriotic Assembly
of that province, but been able to do it with
the advice of Council. The dissolving and
suspending American parliaments , a fashion tj
introduced by Lord H - s - gh, instead of
warding off and preventings will rather serve
to hasten and accomplish the great event .4*
*[It may be doubted whether the Assem¬
bly was dissolved for the reason this gentle¬
man supposes, since it does not appear that
the Governor gave the least hint of any such
reason; or if he had, that the Council would
on that account have advised him to a
dissolution — for the Council perfectly con¬
curred with the Assembly in asserting their
rights — in the petition to his Majesty, the
memorial to the Lords and the remonstrance
to the Parliament; the Council therefore
with respect to these proceedings, were
equally obnoxious to the Ministry as the
House of Representatives; and could never
have advised the Governor to a dissolution
of that house for a conduct which they could
not censure without condemning themselves.
Besides the least hint from the Governor, or
even suspicion, that the Assembly was dis¬
solved for such a cause, would have been a
sure means of the re-election of every man
of them that concurred in the measures, and
of the rejection of every one who did not;
which would entirely have defeated the
1 Items from November 21 to November 27, inclusive, are from the New York Journal, December 8, 1768,
1-2. . ,
2 In the Boston Evening Post this begins “A proclamation for a thanksgiving was yesterday read in the churches.”
8 Evidently ministers and governors.
4 This long paragraph in brackets is in small type.
26
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
supposed design of the dissolution, by pro¬
ducing an Assembly much more unanimous
and firm than the last, in opposition to the
ministerial scheme of enslaving the colonies.]
November 23
This day C - m - r P - n exhibited
himself upon change for a few minutes; and
appeared a striking instance of the contempt
and hatred which those men draw upon
themselves from their fellow citizens, who
have dared to misrepresent and injure their
country in order to gratify their avaricious
cravings.
General Gage this day set out on his return
to New-York (without doubt fully) con¬
vinced, that it is owing to the basest mis¬
representation, that this loyal and orderly
people have been treated with so great insult
and indignity , as to have an army and fleet
sent among them, as it is expressed by the
M - r, to preserve order and assist the
civil magistrate in the due execution of the
laws.
November 24
It is confidently reported that Commodore
Hood has requested the B - d of C - s
- s to let him know in writing, what ships
of war they apprehend may be necessary to
winter in this port, for the better protection
of their persons from insult, and the better
to enable them to secure and collect the
American revenue; that he may then dis¬
patch the remaining ships to their several
stations, before the winter sets in. — Can we
wonder that C - m - rs, P. H. B. and R.
have been so intoxicated with the ideas of their
own importance , when a British M - r
seems to have thought them capable of directing
the movements of so considerable a part of the
fleet and army ?
We hear that a petty officer of the Mer¬
maid man of war, having left his station and
deserted, has been sentenced by a court-
martial held for his trial, to be hanged on a
yard-arm of said ship. — It is to be feared the
N. E. expedition will occasion a greater loss of
men than we at first apprehended.
November 25
The town watch has been lately greatly
abused and interrupted in their duty by
some officers, two of them came to the Town-
House watch with swords under their arms,
calling them damned scoundrels, forbidding
them to challenge officers as they passed, or
to give the time of night in their rounds as
also from keeping in the watch house,
threatening that in such case they would
have them in irons, and bring four regiments
to blow them all to hell; also telling the
watchmen they were the King’s soldiers and
gentlemen, who had orders from his Majesty,
and they were above the Selectmen who gave
them their orders: Upon another night,
other officers came to the dock-watch, one
of them with a drawn hanger or bayonet,
striking it against the door and asking,
whether they thought the times were now as
they had been, and that they could stand
four regiments; also damning them, and
threatening to burn all of us to ashes, and to
send us all to hell in one month’s time: — At
another time the south watch was also as¬
saulted, one of the men struck at, and much
abused with profane and threatening lan¬
guage. The last evening a gentleman of
distinction, seeing an officer of a man of war
in the coffee-house, who had two evenings
before called out to him in a rude manner,
thought proper to ask him why he was thus
accosted; upon which the officer desired him
to go into a room, for he wanted the pleasure
of taking his life; that as he did not suppose
him acquainted with the sword, pistols
would do; he then called out to the gentle¬
man will you not fight me? upon which the
gentleman desired, and the officer agreed to
meet him at his house in the morning, to
determine what was to be done; the officer
not coming, we hear the gentleman having
learned that he was a Lieut, of marines,
intended a prosecution, but was prevented
by his confining himself to his ship. Captain
W - n, of the regulars, tho’ bound to his
good behaviour for the Negro business, has
notwithstanding repeated his offences, by
drawing his sword upon some persons the
last evening and otherwise abusing them,
and we hear complaint has been made to
one of our magistrates respecting this affair.
— If such proceedings in our new conservators
of the peace were not so common, these doings
would appear strange , but that they are so
common , — this is stranger still.
We have advice from New-York, that on
the 14th inst. there was exposed and burnt
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
27
in that city, the effigies of G. B. and S. G.1
in resentment at the parts they acted in
endeavouring to get the troops quartered in
the town; contrary to the letter and spirit of
the act of Parliament relative to billetting
troops in America, as also to the advice of
his Majesty’s Council. — It is said the former
has given out, that the mistakes of the
billetting act will be corrected this session
of Parliament,2 and from the success he has
hitherto met with in imposing upon a
M - r, he is now vain enough to insinuate,
that he shall be able to influence even a
British Parliament to give him power to
trespass upon the citizens.
November 26
By the ships just arrived from London and
Bristol, we have the agreeable advice, that
the political tide was turning fast; the
merchants and manufacturers are looking
more about them, and Ad - m - n are
confounded to find that instead of a little
faction in one province only, as G. B. repre¬
sented it; the whole continent are united in
opposition to measures, which they appre¬
hend to be not only anti commercial, but
quite incompatible with their rights as men
and as British subjects: That all parties
among them disavow the late revenue acts,
and as its great fautor is among the dead,
those acts being now destitute of all support,
will be repealed, and some men among us
whose importance grew out of them, be
returned to their primitive insignificancy, if
not called to a severe account. American
publications are now read with eagerness;
the principles upon which they turn, and the
spirit and energy appearing in many of them
are highly applauded: Our cause is at length
brought where we have long wished it to be,
before the public; it can be no longer injured
by false glosses, and the basest arts: A vast
majority is already in our favour; and shall
we now renounce the principles, in defence
of which we have already gained such merit
and applause from our brethren in Britain,
many of whom, had at first apprehensions
on the contested points, different from our
own? Some tools of power would persuade
us to this, they even beseech us’ noffto men¬
tion our rights; but this would be to re¬
linquish the best of causes when we have the
fairest prospects of success. The enemies to
our rights and liberties have done their
worst, their machinations and gross^’mis-
representations have procured a standing
army for this town; the inflamed accounts,
great movements, and vast expence, by
which this has been effected, serve to fix the
attention of the parent country, upon the
American dispute; the side that is supported
by truth and equity and constitutional
principles, needs only attention, in such a
nation as Britain in order to prevail; instead
of being discouraged we are invited by many
on the other side of the water, of the first
character for political wisdom, and of no
small influence in government, to keep our
foot upon that constitutional ground, where
from the beginning we have placed it; they
have assured us that this ground will support
us, and we trust in God we shall never be
driven from it. The Ministry as well as the
nation will find reason to rejoice^at the
prudent manner in which we received the
troops, and in that loyalty to our sovereign,
and affection to the parent country, which
in this people has prevailed over all resent¬
ment. While the nation are anxious till they
hear the event, none we know are more
distressed than those who influenced or gave
the order for so rash and impolitic a step: —
The apprehension of destroying by its own
military force, the channels of its commerce
and the fountain of its wealth, or of losing in
the affections of America, a resource which
nothing else can supply, has at length
thoroughly alarmed the nation: Who would
have thought that any M - r would have
driven so near a precipice! We are now told
that a retreat is wished for, in consistence
with the honour of Government; this is
what we sincerely wish. Selfish and wicked
servants, with a tolerable share of art may
hold out false lights, especially, when the
scene of action is distant, by which wise and
great men may be misled; but is it not true
honour to rectify mistakes upon the avowed
principles of truth and equity? however this
1 Governor Bernard and Sheriff Greenleaf.
2 The Boston Evening Post omits the rest of the item for this day. Possibly the direct reference to the governor
may have given ground for a prosecution for libel if printed in a*Massachusetts*paper.
28 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
may be, we hope America will never re¬
nounce the rights of British subjects to form
a screen for any Minister.
November 27
It seems not improper for the day, to
reflect with concern on the drunkenness,
debaucheries, and other extravagancies which
prevail by means of the troops being quar¬
tered in the midst of a town, where distilled
spirits are so cheap and plenty; as also on
the many severe whippings which have been
occasioned thereby the last week; and we
"cannot but express our fears, that Boston
will before the spring, produce as great a
change upon a parcel of the best soldiers of
Britain, as the city of Capua did in a shorter
space of time upon Hannibal’s brave army
I impolitickly quartered therein.
November 281
A countryman named Geary, who was
taken up and bound over by the Chief
Justice to answer at the Superior Court, to
the complaint of his having endeavoured to
entice some soldiers to desert from one of
the regiments quartered in this town, had
his trial last Thursday; and was acquitted
by the jury. It was a trial of some expectation ,
being the first of the kind since the troops ar¬
rived: If it had. turned out otherwise , it might
have induced the artful and designing of the
soldiery to have practiced upon the simple and
unwary among us , if not to have complained
of them , in order to obtain the rewards they
have been encouraged to expect for services of
this nature.
The Court of Admiralty for the trial of
the libels entered against Mr. Hancock and
others, which was to have met this day, is
further continued until Tuesday the 6th of
December next, and it is as true as it is
grievous, that none of the interrogatories on
"behalf of the informers have been as yet
lodged in the registers-office. The severe
treatment given these gentlemen , cannot be well
relished by their townsmen , who heartily wish
that the Co - s - rs may still toil in their
infamous fishery , without catching any evi¬
dence that may operate to their prejudice.
November 29
Letters from England, not only confirm
Robert Auchmuty, Esquire, being appointed
Judge of Admiralty for this province, but
acquaint us that Jonathan Sewall, Esq; of
this town, is appointed for Nova-Scotia,
Jared Ingersol, Esq; for New-York, and
Augustus Johnson, Esq; for South-Carolina,
each as it is said with salaries of £600 sterl.
per annum, but the fund from which these
are to come is not yet ascertained. — From
these extraordinary appointments, and more
extraordinary allowances, some are apt to
think that G. B.’s2 reasoning, especially in
support of the part of the Council’s petition
to his Majesty, that no monies may be
drawn from America; has had such effect,
that we shall soon hear of the doubling of
some salary, and of a considerable increase
of colony placemen, in order to prevent our
monies being drawn from us by the American
revenue; with which application of said
revenue the M - y have been led to
imagine that the people of the colonies will
not only be satisfied, but that government
and its officers may be supported therefrom
in the most honourable and firm manner;
but some advices lead us to suppose, that
the American revenue will be given up, and
another fund appropriated for the service of
the M - y.
November 30
An honourable gentleman of his Majesty’s
Council, lately riding over Boston Neck in
his coach, was stopped by some soldiers on
guard, one of which had the assurance to
open the door, and put in his head; upon
being asked what had occasioned such free¬
dom, he had the insolence to reply, that he
was only examining whether any deserter
was concealed there.
A number of gentlemen passing in the
night by the Town-House, were hailed by
the guards three several times, without an¬
swering; whereupon they were stopped and
confined in the guard-house for a consider¬
able time: A young gentleman in another
art of the town, having a lanthorn with
im, was challenged by some soldiers, but
1 Items from November 28 to December 4, inclusive, are from the Neva York Journal, December 15, 1768,
pp. 1-2.
2 Governor Bernard ’s.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
29
not answering so readily as was expected,
he was threatened with having his brains
immediately blown out unless he stopped:
A merchant of the town passing the grand
guard this night about ten o’clock, was
several times challenged by the soldiers, and
upon telling them, that as an inhabitant he
was not obliged to answer, nor had they any
business with him; they replied that this
was a garrison town, and accordingly they
presented their bayonets to his breast, took
and detained him a prisoner for above half
an hour, when he was set free; having pro¬
cured the names of those who had thus used
him, he is prosecuting them for the same;
and we may expect soon to have it deter¬
mined, whether we are or are not a proper
garrison town. Perhaps by treating the most
respectable of our inhabitants in this sort , it is
intended to impress our minds with formidable
ideas of a military government , that we may
be induced the sooner to give up such trifling
things as rights and privileges , in support of
which we are now suffering such great insults
[^and injuries.
_ December 1
A GENTLEMAN of great distinction in
r\ the province of Nova-Scotia, in his
letter of October last, writes, “I want
to hear the consequences of the troops
arrival in Boston; it seems extremely singu¬
lar that they should be drawn off from a
frontier province, when there are so many
garrisons left standing, well supplied with
artillery and ammunition, and no one to
prevent a small body of enemies from taking
possession of them, and sent to such a place
as Boston, where they cannot be wanted or
desired; unless your constitution of govern¬
ment is to be altered, and the great men at
home are apprehensive it may occasion some
opposition, I see not why they are sent
there; and if there should be an opposition,
what can one thousand do towards enforcing
those measures?” — It must certainly be an
ease to the writer of this letter and other well
wishers to the safety and prosperity of Nova-
Scotia , to find that Lord George Campbell , has
so far succeeded in his applications and
negotiations this way, as to be able to return to
his government with one man of war and a
draft of not less than twenty-five battalion men
from the 59th Regiment , which has been spared
from the Boston service for the protection of
Halifax this winter.
December 2
We have advice that the people of the
back settlements in South-Carolina, who
have lately made movements very alarming,
and dangerous to the peace of that colony,
are now quiet, and waiting for a redress of
their grievances in a constitutional way.
From that province the regular troops had
been withdrawn, in order as it was said to
assist the civil magistrates of Boston in the
execution of their duty; however, it seems
the prudence and moderation of their governor
and lieutenant governor , has done more to
restore order, and give efficacy to the laws,
than would have been effected with all the
military force now in America.
The accounts from North-Carolina are,
that a great number of men who call them¬
selves Regulators, had mustered in the back
part of that province for a redress of griev¬
ances; against this body the Governor
marched 1500 of the militia, and when
within about 12 miles of each other, they
came to a parly; and upon assurances given
the Regulators by the Governor, that
methods should be taken for their relief,
they separated, and returned to their settle¬
ments. We do not learn that Governor
Tryon, notwithstanding this grand and
alarming confederacy, has made any appli¬
cation for regular troops to quell and disperse
it, when he might reasonably have expected
to have received at least as many regiments
as has been sent, as it is said to assist our
G - r and the C - m - rs in quelling
disturbances in Boston; but on the contrary,
like a wise and brave governor, he adventured
with the militia of the province to perform
that service, whereby the people have been
less irritated, and a vast expence saved to the
nation, for which he will be more entitled
than some other governors, to a national
allowance.
A fire broke out the last night in the
barracks, called Murray’s, which had it not
been discovered just as it was, must not
only have proved fatal to many of the
soldiers, and the women and children quar¬
tered therein, but might have occasioned the
destruction of a considerable part of the
town; those buildings having been judi-
30
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
ciously pitched upon for barracks, tho’
standing in the very centre of the town, and
within a few feet of the largest pile of wooden
buildings in the province.
This night about ten o’clock, as some
principal gentlemen of the town with their
ladies were returning home, having lan-
thorns with them, they were hailed by a
military guard placed at West-Boston, and
refusing to declare themselves friends, tho’
they informed them they were inhabitants,
who thought themselves, not under a mili¬
tary, but a civil government; and therefore
not liable to be thus called upon, they were
stopped and detained so long in the street,
in a very cold season, that one of the married
ladies, through the cold and surprise, is now
much indisposed. — The practice of chal¬
lenging the inhabitants , for a short time was
laid aside; we cannot say to what influence it
owing , that it is re-assumed by all the
is
r.
guards scattered thro ’ the town , tho ’ it is
thought we are obliged for it to those persons
whose misrepresentations have procured troops
to be quartered among us, and who have been
all along endeavouring to create plausible
pretences for their continuance in this town.
The man who was the last week con¬
demned to be hanged, by a Court-Martial
held on board his Majesty’s ship Mermaid,
was this day brought on deck for execution;
no formalities used on such solemn occasions
were omitted, and when the condemned
person, the people in the ships of war and on
the wharfs, were expecting his being turned
off, a pardon was brought to him. — Com¬
modore Hood , in this act of humanity and
mercy , has given no unfavourable idea of his
prudence and capacity as an officer.
December 3
Arrived his Majesty’s ship Rose, of 20
guns, from England, last from New-Provi-
dence, where she landed his Excellency
Thomas Shirley, Esq; lately appointed gov¬
ernor of the Bahama-Islands, in the room of
his father Major General William Shirley,
who was governor of this province when the
famous expedition to Louisbourg was pro¬
jected, and that fortress and island reduced
by a body of New-England forces, in 1745.
This army was wholly raised, equipped and
supplied in less than six weeks time, without
the knowledge of, or any assistance from the
British administration; the arrival of Ad¬
miral Warren, with some ships of war being
purely accidental. This was an acquisition
so important , that Mr. Pelham, the then
Prime Minister, declared in the House of
Commons, that for the restoration thereof,
France had relinquished all the fruits of
several successful campaigns, and given
peace to Europe; but notwithstanding this
essential service rendered the mother coun¬
try during that war, as also in twice pre¬
serving Nova-Scotia to the Crown with the
militia sent from hence which repelled the
French invaders, and the vast aid in men
and money cheerfully afforded the Crown in
the late war on the requisition of that great
minister Mr. Pitt, which involved us in a
debt we are still staggering under; Besides
what the colonies yielded to Britain by way
of trade, which the great Commoner de¬
clared in Parliament, amounted to two mil¬
lions, and was what chiefly contributed to the
astonishing success of the war. We say
notwithstanding all this, the colonies in
general, and this province in particular,
seem to be considered by some of the suc¬
cessors of the great Commoner, to be of
little or no consequence to the nation, but
rather a burden upon them; — hence it is that
the support of a number of before unheard of
officers has been thought of so much im¬
portance, that the trade, security, peace and
happiness of all North-America, have been
in effect sacrificed to those voracious state
collectors; and the colonies, and this prov¬
ince in particular, by the suspension of its
legislation, and the quartering a standing
army upon them in a time of peace; has been
treated with a severity and indignity, that
can never be forgot , unless this people are
under the powerful actings of those princi¬
ples of Christianity, which some modern
bishops have represented to the nation, and
the world, that Americans, have wholly lost
since their emigration from their native
country.
The Rose man of war is remembered by
New-England men as the ship that carried
off their famous G - r Sir Edmond An-
dross; but whether she is now to carry off
the more — famous G - r B - d, as was
reported, cannot as yet be ascertained. A
Shirley and a Pownal, recommended them¬
selves to Administration, the first by the
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
31
influence he had in his Assembly to engage
them in the Louisburgh expedition and other
expensive and successful services for the
Crown; the latter in that he was able to
obtain a vote and carry it into effect for the
raising 7000 men in his province, to join the
army under General Amherst, in the reduc¬
tion of Canada; notwithstanding the aid he
had given in the former campaigns of that
war, and that about 3000 of our men were
then engaged in other services, for the com¬
mon cause. G. B. has hardly been able for
years past to carry one single point with the
Court;1 he has made the best connections in
the province his personal enemies, and in¬
curred the hatred and aversion of at least
ninety nine in a hundred of the people of his
government; as well as exposed himself to
the contempt and resentment of the other
colonies; but if we may form any conjecture
from the plan of politicks which our late
statesmen seem to have adopted; which is
to irritate , inflame , and drive rather than
consiliate and draw ; we cannot but say that
the chance of a continuance is in favour of
this said G - r, however ’tis thought a
little time will determine not only the fate of
such politicians , but what must essentially
affect the whole British Empire.
December 4
It is observed with pleasure that the
guards are now relieved on Lord’s day morn¬
ing one hour sooner than on other days,
which allows the soldiery to attend public
worship in season; that there is now much
less martial music on the Sabbath then has
been heard since the first arrival of the
troops.
December 52
The Court of Admiralty for the trial of
the libels entered against John Hancock,
Esq; and others, is further continued: —
The most exorbitant and unheard of demand
of about £50,000 sterling, to compensate for
a small cargo of wine, would have been
shocking to persons of common humanity,
had the whole of it been smuggled, which
the custom-house book will evince was not
the case, how much is such grievance
heightened by frequent continuations, where¬
by the subject may be kept in suspence,
contrary to the principles of equity, and the
declaration of Magna Charta. — “A delay
of justice is a denial of it”
The chief civil magistrate in the province
has, it seems, received, if not asked, the aid
of the military; for we now behold centry
boxes fixed at the gates of the province
house, and guards placed there for his better
protection. — A king of England being once
ask'd by a foreign prince , “ Where are your
guards sire?” immediately replied , “The
affections of my people ” — A security , honour ,
and happiness which all the military force of
Great Britain can never restore to our present
G - r.
On Tuesday evening last, between 6 and
7 o’clock, a householder in this town was
met by three soldiers; who at first passed by
him, the space of a few rods, but soon re¬
turn’d, damning him, and asking why he did
not answer when hail’d; immediately upon
which, one of them without any provocation
gave him a blow, which was seconded by
another, whereby he was brought to the
ground; they then stamped upon him, using
means to prevent his calling out; when they
robbed him of all the money in his pocket,
which happened to be but three pistareens. —
Those soldiers doubtless expected a much
larger booty: May our great plunderers ex¬
perience a like disappointment.
We are assured that the members of his
Majesty’s C — 1 of this province have taken
effectual measures to clear their late humble
petition to his Majesty for the redress of our
public grievances, from the misrepresenta¬
tions and false glosses, which there is too
much reason to suspect has been put upon
it, by what Lord H — Is — gh stiles the reason¬
ings of G. B.3 — It has been long a misfortune
to this province and the colonies in general ,
that so much credit has been given by Adminis¬
tration to the NARRATIONS, GLOSSES and
COMMENTS of their enemies here, that the
ill effects of them have been often experienced
by us, before it was even suspected that such
representations had been made.
1 General Court.
2 Items from December 5 to December 11, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , December 22, 1768,
pp. 1-2.
3 Governor Bernard.
32
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
December 6
This day two of the soldiers concerned in
stopping an inhabitant of this town the other
evening, for refusing to answer when hail’d
by the guards, were by warrant brought
before Mr. Justice Dana; who considering
the nature of the offence, bound them over
to answer, to the court of general sessions of
the peace for this county, to be held in
January next. — It is our happiness and
security , that we have recourse to the common
law; and that the times are not so corrupt , but
we have magistrates who have spirit enough to
exert themselves in support of our common
rights; should the time ever come when the law
of the land shall be made to yield and truckle to
military power , — what a scene of confusion
would then open upon a people so jealous of
their liberty?
December 7
A general Council this day, in the minutes
thereof we suppose it will be recorded, James
Murray , Esq; nominated and appointed a
justice of the quorum; tho’ but TWO of the
members, as it is said, gave their voice for the
same. — While such wise methods are pursued
for bracing up government by putting per¬
sons of family and influence in the province
into the magistracy, our enemies may flatter
themselves that they shall not for the future
hear of any difficulties thrown in the way of
quartering troops upon us; or of the inhabit¬
ants daring to express any sort of dislike at
the behaviour of men in power.
The G — r was pleased to say, that he
should not in time to come nominate any
more honorary justices; but only such as
would engage to be acting ones in that
office, — whereupon a worthy gentleman
whose name had been mentioned at the
Board had the go-by; and Mr. William
Coffin, jun. was nominated, and appointed a
justice of the peace for this town and county,
being the second made magistrate on the
reforming plan proposed by Lord Hills¬
borough. — One of the members of the Coun¬
cil had at the late Board, made a representa¬
tion and complaint of the great insult which
had been offered him by the soldiery, when
passing over the Neck in his charriot, but
instead of its being properly, if at all noticed
by the G - r, he was this day pleased to
acquaint the Council, that he understood
from Col. Pomeroy, that there was a combi¬
nation of the inhabitants of the town , not to
answer to the challenges of the guards, which
he observed was a breaking in upon the
rules and orders of the military, might occa¬
sion disturbances , and be attended with ill
consequences. It is said one of the members
observed upon it, that he believed there was
a combination , but that it was a combination
of some gentlemen of influence, designed to
oppose, in the steps of the law, and prevent
the further repetition of violence and dis¬
order, which have been too frequently com¬
mitted since the arrival of the troops in this
town.
December 8
Several pieces of intelligence have been
cook’d up in the Court Gazette, with design
to prevent the successful operation of the
patriotick resolutions of the merchants,
respecting a non-importation of goods. In
order to disabuse our brethren in the neigh¬
bouring governments, they are informed the
importation the last summer and this fall,
has fallen much short of former years, and
that some vessels whose arrivals are ex¬
pected before the first of January next, when
the agreement of the merchants takes place,
are ordered to return only ballasted with
hemp and coal; It may also be affirmed
with truth, that the sale of goods in the
summer and fall, has been much less that
in former seasons, from whence it may be
concluded that the people are grown much
more frugal; To instance only in Bohea tea,
several great retailers of that article have
declared that they do not now sell one fifth
part of what they did lately, — People of the
best fashion in town, have with one heart
and mind, and almost instantaneously
banished it their tables; but a number of
towns in the country, to stop the consump¬
tion have lately signed the following agree¬
ment, viz. “Whereas the prodigious con¬
sumption of foreign teas used amongst us,
is not only very impoverishing to our coun¬
try, but is also prejudicial to the health of
the inhabitants:
We the subscribers being animated with a
zeal to promote the good of our country, (in
breaking oflF bad customs) declare for our¬
selves, respectively, that neither we, nor any
for or under us, will entertain any friend or
visitor whatsoever, with any tea imported
from India or elsewhere, or drink any our-
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
33
selves, or suffer any to be drank in our
houses, until the late revenue acts for im-
gDsing taxes on America be repealed.” —
erhaps our neighbours may suspect that
such agreements, have little or no effect, I
will adduce the town of Sudbury as an in¬
stance to the contrary, by giving a little
anecdote. — A young man of that town who
had lately married, and was removing to a
new settlement where he had purchased a
piece of land, on which he had expended his
all, was recommended to the parish by the
Selectmen for a contribution; the minister
had given notice of the Sabbath on which it
was to be made; this design’d object of their
charity was pleased the Saturday before, to
: take in a shop about a pound of Bohea tea, |
~ promising to pay for the same out of the~~
money to be collected the next day; This
soon flew through the town, and was so
resented that great numbers of the parish
applied to the minister the next morning,
for a re-consideration of their vote, which
was accordingly re-considered, and the im¬
prudent man thereby deprived of the benefit
of the intended contribution. — If Americans
in general , pursue such methods as the fore-
going for obtaining relief and a redress of
grievances , we may laugh at all the troops sent
among us, or rather at those M - rs, who
should have procured an act of Parliament de¬
priving Americans of that understanding and
good sense, with which nature and providence
has endow'd them, before they had attempted
with any hopes of success, to dragoon us out of
those rights and privileges, which the inhabit¬
ants of these colonies inherit and know they
are entitled to as men and as subjects. —
December 9
Orders have been received from Georgia
and another province for some articles of
American manufacture, which could not be
procured in this place, — From hence it may
be concluded by some, that New-England
manufactures exist only in our news papers;
but such a conclusion would be very errone¬
ous: We have not it is true any quantities
of home made cotton, linen, and woolen
goods which can yet be spared for exports ,
but it may be depended upon that those
manufactures have greatly increased since
the Stamp-Act: Almost every house in the
country is now a manufactory; some towns
have more looms therein than houses: The
encouragement and countenance given by
the clergy, our patriots and the college, by
appearing clothed in our own woolens, &c.
has raised a spirit in the country, that can
hardly be abated; our farmers now look upon
it as a disgrace, if they and their family, are
not clad with the fleece of their flock, and by
their own industry: Companies are forming
in several parts of the country, for the carry¬
ing on several branches of business, with the
help of our new imported artizans, which
must so increase and improve New-England
manufactures; that if the present restrictions
on foreign trade are continued, and the
revenue drain for our cash is kept open, we
may soon have an overplus to spare to those
of our southern brethren, who are disposed
to favour us with their custom. It is a fact,
that our country people are already able to
furnish themselves with by far the greatest
part of their necessary clothing; The re¬
sentment of Americans may soon be strong
enough to banish every foreign superfluity;
then Britons will be convinc’d by sad ex¬
perience of the truth of an old English
proverb, viz, Honesty is the best policy.
December 10
While the friends of their country are
recommending and countenancing by their
example, the strictest economy, C - m
- r P - x - n and Company are en¬
deavouring to establish a weekly and brilliant
assembly at Concert Hall; where their Board
is again held in the day time, and a centinel
placed for their guard: One of their livery
boatmen has waited upon the gentlemen and
ladies of the town with the proposals and a
subscription paper; which to use a courtly
phrase has been almost universally treated
with the contempt it deserves, — C — m — r
R — n, in order to throw a splendor upon
office, and so to dazzle with its brightness,
the eyes of Americans, that they might not
perceive the incomparable insignificancy of
his person, nor how ridiculously the fruits
of their industry are bestowed; intends soon
to make his appearance in a suit of crimson
velvet, which will cost him a sum that would
have been a full support to some one of the
families, that are almost reduced to poverty
themselves; who are yet obliged, not indeed
by the laws of Christianity, but by the
34 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
Revenue Act, to feed the hungry and cloth
the naked C — m — rs, not barely with what
is convenient and necessary , but with all the
luxury and extravagance of high life.
December 11
We have the melancholy account that a
schooner coming from St. John’s in Nova
Scotia, with a considerable number of
passengers, being such as had left their
settlements in that colony in order to reside
in this province, has been lately cast away
on the salvages, near Cape Ann, and not one
of the people saved. — It is to be feared we
may hear of more loses of this kind , as neces¬
sity has put numbers upon launching from
that country in the most dangerous and perilous
season of the year: W e wish we may not also
before long receive some disagreeable tidings
from the two Floridas, and other of our new
settlements, from whence the troops have been
withdrawn ,_ for the Boston expedition .
December 12x
A married lady of this town was the other
evening, when passing from one house to
another, taken hold of by a soldier; who
otherways behaved to her with great rude¬
ness; a woman near Long Lane was stopped
by several soldiers, one of whom cried out
seize her and carry her off; she was much
surprised, but luckily got shelter in a house
near by; Another woman was pursued by a
soldier into a house near the north end, who
dared to enter the same, and behave with
great insolence: Several inhabitants while
quietly passing the streets in the evening,
have been knocked down by soldiers; One
of the principal physicians of the town, was
the last Friday, about 12 o’clock at night,
hailed by an officer, who was passing the
street, but not of a patroling party; the
doctor refused to answer, and resented this
treatment; whereupon the officer seized
him by the collar, asserting that he was on
the King’s duty, and swearing that he would
have an answer; this so provoked the doctor
that he gave him a blow, which brought the
officer to the ground; he then seized him,
but a soldier or two coming up at that in¬
stant, he thought proper to let him go.
These are some further specimens of what we
are to expect from our new conservators of the
peace ; The inhabitants however still pi e serve
their temper and a proper decorum; in this
they have doubtless disappointed and vexed
their enemies: Under all the insults and in¬
juries received from a G r, C m - rs,
and the M - / - y, we are patiently waiting
the result of our petitions and remonstrances ,
for a redress of grievances , and an alteration
of measures: We cannot but flatter ourselves
that Administration must soon be convinced
of the propriety and necessity of putting affairs
upon the old footing , which experience now
demonstrates to be the best for both countries.
December 13
We are told that Col. Pomeroy upon whom
the chief command of the troops quartered
in this city now devolves, has given orders
to his officers, to suspend challenging the
townsmen, as had been practiced for some
time. — The inhabitants have steadily per¬
severed in refusing to answer to those chal¬
lenges of the military guards in the night;
choosing rather to be stopped or confined,
than by a different conduct to countenance
so affrontive an attack upon the rights of
citizens; The town watch is appointed for
our security in the night; to them and not to
the military are the inhabitants legally
obliged to give answer, when properly hailed:
Several of the soldiers have been prosecuted
in the law by those who they have presumed
to detain for not answering to their chal¬
lenges; the insolence of power will forever be" )
despised by a people who retain a just sense
of liberty; and while they pursue constitu-J
tional methods for the redress of any griev¬
ance, they may rationally hope for success.
December 14
The Court of Admiralty for the trial of
the libels relative to the sloop Liberty, &c.
met yesterday, and again adjourned to the
3d of January next: the interrogatories have
been lodged. The Commissioners expected
they would have been able this evening with
the countenance of the military gentlemen,
to have opened an assembly at Concert Hall,
for the winter season; but the virtue and
1 Items from December 12 to December 18, inclusive, are from the New York "Journal , December 29, 1768,
pp. 1-2.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
35
discreetness of the young ladies of the town,
occasioned a disappointment; It is probable
they may have one the next week, with a
small number of matrons of their own core:
It must ill become American ladies to dance
in their fetters.
December 15
There have been many severe scourgings,
lately given the soldiery, particularly on
Tuesday last, almost wholly occasioned by
a too free use of distilled spirits. It is said
one of them has died of his wounds, the
truth of which we do not avouch, but it is
expected that inquiry will be made by the
grand jury of the county: The inhabitants
are the more affected with these punish¬
ments, imagining they might have been
prevented, had the troops been quartered
at Castle Island, or on a pretty village on a
neck of land over against it, called Point
Shirley, where they might have been well
accommodated, and supplied, and would
have received the full protection of the ships
of war. Distressing sympathies will force
themselves on those who have the greatest
humanity; who are the most worthy part of
the species: Some such persons among us
have expressed their dislike to those whip¬
pings, and at the shooting a man for his first
desertion in the time of peace. — A pamphlet
has made its appearance, said to be written
by a clergyman in this town: The author
shews that giving more than forty stripes,
allowed Deutronomy 25, verse 3d, is break¬
ing a moral law of God; that the Jews were
prohibited by that law giving about forty
stripes, lest their brother should seem vile
unto them, even as if he was a dog, (but the
military allows to lay them on by hundreds,)
That God intended the forty stripes should
be a terror to the Jews; but not like the
terrors of death; whereas military delin¬
quents who have been sentenced to receive
1000 or 1500 lashes sometimes choose death
rather than life, and beg they may be shot to
escape a whipping, that such indignities are
a disgrace to the human nature. Homo sum
humanum nihil a me alienum puto ; That
when such punishments are decreed as
threaten life, the sixth Commandment is
broken, and all concerned are guilty of kill¬
ing the victim, tho’ he should not die under
the operation; That it is strange that tho’
the law of our God, with regard to whipping,
is so religiously observed by the civil au¬
thority, it should be set at naught by the men
of the sword; that the weight of military
cruelties is rested on the necessity of them; a
support which must fail, — it being always
necessary to keep God’s laws; but can never
be necessary to break them. The author then
introduces this account from Winchester,
“That a sergeant belonging to the 14th
Regiment, then lying in the city, was found
drunk upon guard; and by a Court Martial
was reduced to a private man, and sentenced
to receive two hundred lashes; next field day;
amongst other unusual aggravations of the
punishment, the drummers were ordered to
strip, to stay a minute between every stroke,
and instead of 25, to give only ten lashes.
When 190 cuts had been administered in this
manner, the surgeon who stood by, declared,
that if the man received the remainder, it
would be impossible for him to survive the
punishment; accordingly he was unloosed
from the halberts, and carried back to the
guard house; where having languished a
few days, his back began to mortify, and the
mortification soon reaching his kidneys, he
died delirious. The coroners of the city of
Winchester interposing on this occasion, an
inquest was taken upon the body of the de¬
ceased, when the jury brought in their
verdict wilful murder against the captain, who
commanded at the punishment, &c. This
narration is closed with the following re¬
flection. — Wherever troops are quartered,
the civil authority should have a strict eye
over them: and as often as death appears to
be the effect of a whipping, should imitate
the worthies of Winchester; otherwise blood
guiltless will be brought on the place. —
The case of one Blakeny, as related by
Dr. Lucas, the Patriot of Ireland, in his
Mirror for Court Martials is also mentioned.
He was ordered to receive 500 lashes at the
head of the garrison in Dublin; his body was
mangled most horribly, and he would doubt¬
less have met his death, had not the Lord
Lieutenant remitted 300 of the 500 lashes —
and the author further adds, is there not
reason to fear, that if some worthy gentleman
in Boston had not prevailed for the remitting
300 of the 500 lashes decreed for a criminal
(among the troops here) he must have
perished, especially as 190 cruel cuts had
dispatched the sergeant at Winchester. The
36
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
author then refers to the memorable Petition
of Rights, wherein it appears to be an article
of complaint “That certain persons exercised
a power to proceed within the land according
to the justice of martial law, even against
soldiers, by such summary course and order
as is agreeable to martial law, and as is used
in armies in time of war, as was looked on
to be against the form of the Great Charter
and law of the land; that any man within
the land, tho’ a soldier and mariner, should
be judged and executed by martial law, lest
by colour there — of any of his Majesty’s
subjects may be destroyed or put to death,
contrary to the law and franchise of the
land.” In consequence of which petition,
the King revoked his commission. — The
author concludes with expressing his hopes,
that tho’ in these perilous times, some
friends of power tells us, we must not say a
word about rights (than which nothing could
be said more satirical against the Ministry)
The time will come when our rights shall be
restored to us as at the first , and our privi¬
leges as at the beginning: When the civil
authority shall have its free course and his
Majesty’s subjects be no longer disparaged
and distressed with court martials in time of
peace.
December 16
The people of Salem, Marblehead, and
other towns from whence our fisheries are
carried on, complain greatly of the new act
of severity in demanding from the poor
fishermen pay for Greenwich Hospital. In
1732, this point was settled, and orders
transmitted from home to desist from de¬
manding that duty from the fishermen; but
now a gentleman concerned in that revenue
having as it is said 12s 2d per cent on all the
money raised this way for doing nothing,
demands and insist upon the payment of
said duty: Thus, for the providing for one
creature of a M - r; (for the revenue will
not be benefitted , as the pay of this officer
will be equal to this new duty) a method is
pursued which must greatly affect the in¬
terest of the nation , as well as of the province ,
it having a direct tendency to lessen if not
destroy so valuable a branch of trade as the
fishery.
The prodigious multiplicity of crown and
revenue officers, since the project of an
American revenue was formed, grows daily
more and more alarming, the names of the
new-created officers, and the business said
to be allotted to them, would make a small
revenue dictionary. It is now the general
opinion, that large as the sums are that have
been drawn from America by this duty, and
with them the life-blood of its trade, it will
when the officers on the establishment, and
incidental lists are paid up, without men¬
tioning the charge of transporting the
C - m - rs to America, and the expence
accrued by their campaign to the Castle, &c.
yield little or nothing to the revenue: The
revenue about which so much noise has been
made, tho’ it may be dear to interested men
or women on this or the other side of the
water, (for Americans now begin fully to
comprehend the modern doctrine of quar-
terings) is quite inconsiderable to the nation ,
and will certainly prove insufficient to defray
a tenth part of the military force that it has
occasioned to be quartered in this single
town: What a sorry pittance then is this
revenue to be the ground of so much conten¬
tion, and the occasion of removing ancient
foundations , upon which the commerce of
Britain has so greatly flourished , and the
colonies have thought themselves happy in
their connection with her.
One F - s a master of a vessel, who
having disposed of a considerable part of his
cargo, not quite to the satisfaction of his
owner, and being reprimanded therefor,
made information, &c. by way of resentment,
whereby an addition was made to the loss
and damage of his unfortunate owner, by a
seizure of said vessel: It is said this fellow
has been since so noticed by the Commis¬
sioners as to have a small post in the cus¬
toms given him. — This is mentioned only to
shew that such infamous persons after having
betrayed a total want of confidence , even to
perfidy, in these times knew where to find their
REFUGE and SUPPORT; This same per¬
son was the other day taken with a single
writ for a debt due to a trader in this town;
when he produced to the sheriff a protection
from the Court of Admiralty, that he might
be enabled thereby to file his interrogatory,
relative to the above seizure. — This day a
brigantine from London, where she is owned,
last from Nantucket, was seized by order of
the C - m - rs, it seems she had landed
the chief part of her cargo at Nantucket, and
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 37
reported to, or entered with the naval officer,
as was formerly practised; the particular
cause of this seizure is not as yet ascertained.
This evening several soldiers of the guard
near the Neck, were detected in stealing
leather out of a shop at the south part of the
town; they were pursued by the owner, and
one of them was overtaken, who defended
himself with his bayonet and gave the pur¬
suer a thrust, which struck against his collar
bone; he was however mastered, and is now
secured in gaol till he can take his trial at
the next court of assize.
December 18
There has of late been several smart re¬
counters between the soldiers quartered in
this town and the seamen belonging to the
men of war now in harbour, they discover a
very particular dislike or rather enmityto
each other. — This evening a number of
soldiers and sailors happened to meet, when
a bloody affray ensued; — in which it is said
the seamen were victors: Several of the
parties have lost thumbs and fingers and are
otherways badly wounded; one of the
soldiers dangerously; Care is taken of them
at the hospital provided for the use of the
troops. — It is to be feared the indiscretion and
animosity of these people may in the course
of the winter be productive of other disagreeable
consequences; and further evince that the peace
and good order of the town is not like to be
preserved or promoted by our military in¬
mates 3
December 191 2
Last evening after church service, there
was a considerable gathering of children and
servants, near the Town House, drawn by
the music of the fife, &c. which is again
heard on the Sabbath, to the great concern
of the sober and thoughtful inhabitants;
some of those youth’s having behaved so as
to displease the officer, orders were given the
guard to clear the parade; they marched up
with bayonets presented, — one of the lads
was pursued by a soldier to some distance,
who made a thrust with his bayonet, which
passed thro’ his coat, and had he not thrown
himself on the ground that instant, its
thought he would be run thro’ the body: He
has entered a complaint against said soldier,
with one of the magistrates of the town; an
application to the military on any such occa¬
sions would be resented by the inhabitants , who
would by no means countenance the exercise of
law-martial in the body of the county , and in a
time of peace.
December 20
Capt. Sweeney, arrived from Halifax with
the remains of the 14th, 29th, and part of
the 59th Regiments, quartered here, and a
number of women belonging to the said
regiments. He informs that the schooner
Providence, Capt. Campbell, with military
stores, was cast away the 19th ultimo, on
Betty’s Island, in Prospect Harbour, and
one man drowned. We also learn from
Augustine, that Capt. Chambers was ar¬
rived there with the troops with-drawn from
Pensacola; on his passage, he met with a
violent gale, in which he lost his mast, and
had four feet water in his hold, where some
of the sick soldiers were drowned. A large
ship, one of the Cork fleet, with Col. Mackay,
most of the officers of his regiment, and a
number of soldiers on board, is still a missing
vessel. — Some important acquisitions were
made in the late war from our enemies , with
much less expence and loss to the nation , than
will be occasioned by the late extensive move¬
ments , and very extraordinary American
proceedings.
By letters from Sandusky-Bay, we learn
that some gentlemen on their way from
Detroit, were robbed of many things of
value by some Indians; that the sloop Char¬
lotte, was cast away on Lake Erie; and the
schooner Boston burnt in Cat Fish Creek,
on the same lake, supposed by the Indians:
Accounts of damages done by the Indians since
the withdraw of troops from the out settlements ,
may be expected to multiply upon us.
December 21
This day there was a meeting of his
Majesty’s Council, when the Governor in¬
formed them, that an action of trespass, had
been brought against Stephen Greenleaf,
Esq; sheriff of the county of Suffolk, by Mr.
1 The portion in italics is omitted from the Boston Evening Post.
2 Items from December 19to December 25, inclusive, are from the NewYork "Journal , Supplement , January 12,
1769, p. 2.
38 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
John Brown of the Manufactory, for break¬
ing, entering in, and keeping possession of
an appartment in said house. The G - rex-
pressed his hopes and expectations, that the
C - 1 would support the sheriff, who he
said had acted in that business by their
authority, and therefore ought to be saved
harmless by them. This motion of the G - r’s
having been supported, one or more of the
Council observed to this purpose, that the
vote for clearing the Manufactory House,
was at first obtained by a majority of one
only, or six out of eleven, present, — that it
was intended by the Council to be done in
a legal manner , and that when the affair was
in agitation, they thought it necessary to
wait upon his Excellency and did accord¬
ingly wait upon him, and that even the
gentlemen themselves, who voted for the
clearing the house, declared to his Excel¬
lency that the manner of proceeding, was in
their opinion illegal , and different from what
they expected, when they voted for it. Upon
which the G - r was pleased to say, that as
the sheriff had acted in this affair, in conse¬
quence of the vote of the C - 1, it must ap¬
pear very unaccountable in them not to
support him; that it would have an ill
appearance on the other side of the water ,
where it would certainly be known, and in
order to intimidate the C — 1 into his meas¬
ures, he very delicately intimated that it
would be a subject of representation: When
undoubtedly such kind of glosses would be
put upon it, as had before been put upon
their humble petitions, and other parts of
their proceedings. The Council did not
think it adviseable to determine on a matter
as new and unprecedented as it was important ,
and therefore referred it for further con¬
sideration, to a full board; where its to be
hoped a greater concern will appear to secure
the substantial rights of every honest house¬
holder, than to provide a screen for any
creature of a G - r whatsoever.
But tho’ the G - r has upon more occa¬
sions than one expressed his concern to save
the credit of his t - Is, - is it not worthy
of remark, that so little regard was dis¬
covered for the honour and dignity of his
Majesty’s C - 1, as that when one of those
honourable gentlemen complained in C - 1
of the treatment he had received in having
his chariot stopt and searched for deserters,
this G - r should treat the complaint with
neglect; and rather defend, than censure the
conduct of the soldiery in stopping the in¬
habitants; and what is still more astonishing:
At a C - 1 convened upon the arrival of
the troops to consider of C - 1 D - s1
demand for quarters; an Hon. gentleman
who had long had a seat at the B - d, and
who had freely spoke to this point, as he
thought the good of the province, and the
service of his sovereign required, was mod¬
estly told by this gentleman of the sword,
that if he had meant any insult upon him in
his speech, he should have taken his own
satisfaction, as soon as they were off that
floor; and this in the very presence of the
G - r, without his taking the slightest
notice of so gross an affront offered to the
whole B - d.
December 22
A common soldier of one of the regiments
arrived from Ireland, having the last even¬
ing made too free a use of spirituous liquors,
was this morning found dead in his barracks:
It is said that the captain he was under, has
ordered all the men belonging to his com¬
pany to view the corps of the deceased, that
by his unhappy fate they might be deterred
from such intemperance as has brought this
person and many before him to an untimely
end; Its to be hoped a suitable number of
officers will be pickt out of the military core,
to lead and accompany the soldiers on this
melancholy service.
December 23
It may now be said that the G - r and
C - m - rs have the last night had a sort
of an assembly at Concert Hall; Never were
the gentlemen concern’d more liberal in
their invitations, even those ladies who
declin’d subscribing, had their cards; the
neighbouring towns were reconnoitred for
females, and the good natured S - r of the
B - d of C - m - rs was so complaisant
as to offer to go as far as Salem to bring two
damsels from thence; their efforts were
finally so successful, as to procure from
among themselves and their connections,
about ten or twelve unmarried ladies, whose
1 Colonel Dalrymple’s.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
39
quality and merits have been since related
with the spritely humour of a military gal¬
lant. — The ball was opened by Capt.
W n, — a gentleman who has been al¬
ready taken notice of in this Journal; There
was indeed a numerous and blazing appear¬
ance of men, but the ladies of all ages and
conditions so few, that the most precise
Puritan could not find it in his heart to
charge said assembly with being guilty of
the crime of mixt dancing. —
December 24
We are informed by the Boston Chronicle,
but know not the grounds the publishers
have for such information, — that a packet is
soon expected from London, with orders for
calling a new Assembly of this province,
which is much to be desired. As the Gov¬
ernor expressly declared in his message to
the late House of Representatives, that he
had laid before them the full of the orders
he had then received; it is difficult to account
for his not having called one before, or why he
should wait for any orders, relating to it;
for it did not appear that he was under any
prohibition. The ill consequences therefore
that have or may arise from the want of an
Assembly at this critical time, must be ac¬
counted for by the G - r and not by the
M - r. But if he has since received such
prohibitory orders, is it not an infringement
of the honour of the G - r, as well as the
rights of the people granted in the charter of
the province? In that charter the King has
been pleased to devolve the power of calling,
adjourning, proroguing or dissolving the
Assembly upon the Governor: And he being
present and knowing to every emergency
that takes place, it must be an advantage to
the people to have this matter left to his
prudence; But if the being of an Assembly
is for the future to be left to the will or
humour of a Minister, and he at the distance
of a thousand leagues, unconnected with, and
independent upon the people for his support,
the time may come when we may be in a
worse situation than the nation was in, in
the reign of Charles the First, when there
may be not only a vacation of the General
Assembly for twelve years, but no Assem¬
blies at all: Or if we should happen to have a
Governor of integrity and steadiness to assert
his own honour and the people’s rights , he
would in all likelihood be soon recalled for
disobeying the command of the Minister,
who would rescind them; But the rights of
American charters, seem at present to be of
very little importance in the opinion of our
American G - r, or the M - r in the
American Department.
December 25
One great objection to the quartering of
troops in the body of a town, is the danger
the inhabitants will be in of having their
morals debauched; The ear being accus¬
tomed to oaths and imprecations, will be the
less shockt at the profanity, and the fre¬
quent spectacles of drunkenness, exhibited
in our streets, greatly countenances this
shameful and ruinous vice. The officers of
the army are not backward in resenting the
smallest disrespect offered themselves by a
soldier, and such offences are severely
punished, but it seems the name of God may
be dishonoured with horrid oaths and
blasphemies, in their presence without their
looking upon themselves as obliged to pun¬
ish, or even reprove them for the same;
perhaps they take this to be the duty of the
civil magistrate, and indeed it appears highly
reasonable, that the magistrates of the town
should notice those offences, and exert them¬
selves in all legal ways, to restrain the
soldiery from such enormities, and check
the progress of so terrible a contagion among
the inhabitants. — Those who look upon the
awful denunciations of God’s word against
sinners, not merely as bugbears to afrighten,
but what will really be inflicted on all im-
penitents, cannot but compassionately wish
that more pains were taken and better
means used to reform the army. This set of
men are generally made up of the most
thoughtless and unprincipled of our youth;
The common soldiers are in general destitute
of Bibles and proper books of devotion; their
pay so small as not to enable their procuring
them, or else we might suppose stoppages for
them as well as other articles; What a pity
is it that the Society for Propagating the
Gospel, do not spare a part of their charity
for this purpose; and if together with this,
due care was taken in the appointment of
chaplains, and strict orders given them,
diligently to pursue the duties of their office,
by rebuking, exhorting, instructing, and
40 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
daily praying with their regiments, might
we not hope for such success, as that the
reproach which has been too justly cast
upon us by foreigners, “That our army has
less appearance of religion among them than
there is among any other in Europe,” may
be soon wiped away?
December 26x
This morning a vessel from Salem or
Marblehead, having a cask of sugar on
board, which it was supposed had not been
properly cleared out, was seized by one of
the custom-house officers, who brought a
number of SOLDIERS! to assist and keep
possession of said vessel, but upon discovery
that the sugar had been reported at the
Custom-House, she was soon released. It is
very extraordinary that soldiers should be
called in upon such occasions: It seems
calculated to lead Administration to con¬
ceive that the quartering of troops in this
town is necessary to enable the custom¬
house officers to discharge their duty; but
this is so far from being the case, that no
one article of goods which has been seized in
the port of Boston since the new regulations,
and perhaps before, has been rescued from
the officers; it is indeed true that soon after
the Commissioners retired to the Castle, a
poor simple Irishman indeavouring to save
the duty upon a few hogsheads of molasses,
had the same seized and thereby lost the
fruits of several years industry: The petty
officer who had the charge of the vessel for
some time, was one evening locked up in the
cabbin, and a few hogsheads of molasses
were carried off; as soon as it was known to
the inhabitants, they expressed their resent¬
ment at this procedure in such a manner,
that the hogsheads of molasses very soon
found the way back again to the vessel in
full tale and quantity.
December 27
A report is current, that Mr. Alderman
T-k1 2, has procured a copy of the will or
instruments whereby C — m — r P — , gave to
the late C. T — d, the reversion of an estate
represented to him as worth £50,000 —
which he intends to produce in the House of
C — m — s next s — s — n, in order to shew
what secret influence had been exerted for
the procurement of an American B - d of
C — s — ms. It might also be of special service
to present that H — e with the picture of a
certain lady of pleasure, whose influence was
powerful enough to procure £500 a year for
a B. that those guardians of the people might
see how the monies taken from Americans
is charmed away and applied not for the
lessening of the national debt but for the
support of M — 1 w — h — s and p — si — s3.
December 28
A further number of libels against the
concerned in landing some molasses out of
the vessel beforementioned, which was not
reported to the custom-house, has been
lately entered in the registers-office of the
Court of Admiralty. This trade which was
formerly considered even by the B — d of
T — e as advantageous to the nation, is now
treated with great severity; a duty of one
penny per gallon on molasses, and five
shillings per hundred on F. sugars is not
laid for the regulation of the West-India
trade, but for the express purpose of a
revenue. Ad — st — n has not even endeav¬
oured to save appearances; the molasses
produced and imported from our own is¬
lands, is burdened with the same duty, and
all English sugars shipt from hence to our
own markets by an act of Parliament passed
in 1765, shall be deemed and taken to be
foreign and liable to the same duties and
restrictions. The impolitick severity made
use of to secure this revenue, if what never
reaches the exchequer may be properly
term'd revenue , has nearly destroyed our
trade with the foreign West India Islands,
before the late regulations notwithstanding
the diligence of French and Spanish guarda-
costas, vast quantities of sugar, coffee, in¬
digo, &c. were brought from those islands
chiefly in exchange for our fish, the growth
of the continent, and British imports; these
were again exported to the Mediterranean
and other foreign markets, and the greatest
part of the neat proceeds thereof remitted
1 Items from December 26, 1768, to January 1, 1769, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , January 19,
1769, pp. 1-2.
* Alderman Trecothic, a popular member of Parliament and a consistent friend to the colonies.
* Ministerial whores and pensioners — a not uncommon appellation at this time.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
41
in bills and cash to the British merchants in
pay for the goods we received from thence:
But now the North-American merchants are
deprived of those advantageous remittances,
and instead of having sugars for export, that
..article has so arisen in price, that what was
lately sold at this market for about 17s, will
now command upwards of 42s. sterling per
__hundred: The monies wrested from Ameri¬
cans by the injudicious project of a revenue ,
may indeed enable a M — r to create a number
of new offices , multiply place men , and in¬
crease salaries , but can never countervail the
national damage, by the lessening of its naviga¬
tion and the loss of so profitable a circular
trade .
The C — 1 met this day, and the G — r
renewed his request, that they would agree¬
able to the petition of Sheriff Greenleaf, in¬
demnify said sheriff as to his conduct at the
Manufactory-House, in the action brought
against him by Mr. William Brown, and in
order to shew the reasonableness of this
requirement, he was pleased to tell the
C — 1, that in this business Mr. Greenleaf
pursued their vote and did not act as sheriff
but as their bailiff, he having commissioned
him so to do. The Council were the more
surprised at this demand, and G — rs asser¬
tion to support it, as he could not but
remember, that when they first heard of the
sheriff’s extraordinary procedure respecting
the Manufactory-House; they were so
alarmed as to have a meeting among them¬
selves on the 22d of October last, when seven
of the eleven of the Council, (six of whom,
by continual application were drawn into
the unhappy vote,) which were all whose
presence could then be procured, waited
upon the G — r and acquainted him that it
was their unanimous opinion, that the whole
procedure of the sheriff was expressly con¬
trary to their intention in said vote, which
was only general for the clearing the Manu¬
factory-House for the reception of the troops
after the barracks at the Castle should be
full; and that they never had an idea of the
sheriff’s making a forceable entry contrary
to law; and that notwithstanding this appli¬
cation, the siege of the Manufactory was
continued for about twelve days after: One
of the C - 1 then asked the G - r whether
the sheriff acted as bailiff when he sent for a
number of the regulars to assist him when
he forceably entered the said house, as part
of the posse-comitatus, or whether a bailiff
could legally do it; and it was then observed
that this could not be done; the presump¬
tion, was that Mr. Greenleaf had acted only
as sheriff in that business: All that was
offered by the C - 1 did not discourage the
G - r from exerting his influence in support
of this officer, he insisted upon the question
being put, and it was according put in words
of the following import, viz. Whether the
C - 1 would take upon themselves the
defence of said action on the part of the
sheriff, or indemnify said sheriff. — To which
question the C - 1 replied in a manner
that has brought as much credit upon them¬
selves as it has cast reproach upon the
G r.
That they would not at present determine
that question, the C - 1 being of opinion
that for them to do any thing that might
give a bias, either to court or jury, would be
extremely wrong: That for the C - 1 now to
determine, whether they would indemnify
Sheriff Greenleaf, or would not indemnify
him might give such a bias, and therefore they
desire to be excused from giving any answer
till the cause shall be determined in a court
of justice. It is said that the G - r was
greatly mortified by the foregoing vote of
C — 1, and could not forbear expressing his
resentment, by telling them that if he was
in their place he should be ashamed of look¬
ing the sheriff in the face, and that their
conduct would make an ill appearance on
the other side the water, where they might
depend it would be properly represented,
and where he apprehended measures might
be taken to procure justice to that officer.
It may throw some further light upon this
procedure of the sheriff respecting the Manu¬
factory-House, to observe, that this house is
the property of the province, which Mr.
Brown has been permitted to improve for
about twelve years past, and that altho’ it
should be supposed, that the G — r and C — 1
have a right to dispose of the property of
the province, upon a dissolution of the
General Assembly, or that Mr. Brown was
an intruder in this house, points which are
by no means granted; yet it does not follow
that he could be dispossessed in any other
way than by ejectment in a due course of
law. The conduct of the sheriff cannot
42
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
therefore be excused in his forceable entry,
or in that aggravating circumstance of it,
his calling the soldiery to his assistance,
when some respectable inhabitants declared
to him they stood ready to aid him in all
legal steps upon this occasion, and that he
could not but know that this was the dis¬
position of the inhabitants.
The above is another specimen of the
conduct of G. B. and the spirit with which
he is actuated, this we are persuaded is now
so well understood that not a single colony
on the continent envies the Massachusetts,
such an administration any more than the
residence of the Commissioners.
December 29
A number of robberies have been lately
committed by the soldiers, for which some
of them have been apprehended and com¬
mitted to gaol. The other evening as a
journeyman to a silver-smith, was going
through an alley leading into Ann-Street he
met a soldier, who took hold of him and
ordered him to deliver up his money; a
scuffle ensued, when the smith was thrown
by the soldier, who clapt his knee upon his
breast and a hand upon his mouth, to pre¬
vent an alarm, and with the other hand
robbed him of the few pence he had in his
pocket; a whistling was then made, sup¬
posed by some of his comrades, when the
soldier ran and made his escape, leaving the
journeyman much wounded. This is not the
only instance of a street robbery, since the
arrival of the troops, which before was a
crime unknown in this town, and serves
more and more to convince us, how much
beholden we are to some persons among us,
not only for the introduction of such a set
of men into the province, but for influencing
to their being quartered in the midst of us,
which gives them a still greater opportunity
to injure and distress the inhabitants. It
cannot but raise our indignation to perceive
that altho’ G — r B — d, and the Co — m — rs
were so ready in reporting and exaggerating
every little trifling disturbance that took
place before the arrival of the troops, they
can now behold with perfect indifference, if
not satisfaction, all the riots, outrages, rob¬
beries, &c. that are daily perpetrated among
us.
December 30
It is said that the animosities which have
appeared between the King’s soldiers and
seamen, which were neither at first fomented,
nor have since been encouraged by the in¬
habitants, has occasioned several serious
consultations between their respective offi¬
cers, as to the best method of checking and
removing them; and we hear that General
Pomeroy, observing that the severest whip¬
pings are ineffectual to restrain the men
from a too free use of spirituous liquors, is
about substituting some other punishment
in the room thereof; a large log, to which a
delinquent is to be chained, for a longer or
shorter time is talked of, and the experiment
trying; but some think that if a drunkard
was confined in a dark room, for one or more
days, and only fed with bread and water, it
would not only serve his health after a
debauch, but have the most likely tendency
to restrain him from hard drinking for the
future.
December 31
Yesterday the Selectmen, waited upon
General Pomeroy, to acquaint him that the
music of the fife, &c. on the Sabbath, was
very disagreeable to the inhabitants, and
might have an ill effect upon the younger
and more thoughtless part of the community,
with respect to the observance of that day;
and as they apprehended it contrary to law,
they expressed their hopes and desires that
it might be omitted for the future, as they
had taken notice it had sometimes been in
stormy weather; they also took the liberty
to observe, that the challinging the in¬
habitants when passing the streets, was
looked upon as a great grievance, and would
therefore not be submitted to by the people,
who did not look upon themselves in a
garrison state, and were therefore deter¬
mined to seek redress in a legal way, if it
was still continued; that they thought it
but prudent to mention this to him, that he
might by suppressing what was complained
of, do justice to the inhabitants, to prevent
those disagreeable consequences, which might
otherwise follow.
The last evening, we are sorry to say it, as
three young gentlemen, were passing the
house where General Pomeroy resides, having
a large glass lanthorn with them, they were
challenged by one of the centinels placed at
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 43
the gates, and declining giving any other
answer to the same, than that they were
those who should do them no hurt; they
were so ill treated by a centinel, as that one
of the young fellows received several blows
from him, and another of them a push from
the muzzle of the musket in his face, which
much wounded him; the General upon ap¬
plication gave the names of the two cen-
tinels, who were ordered under guard; the
abused, applied to a magistrate, and infor¬
mation will be given in, to the grand jury
of the county, that they may be proceeded
with, according to the merits of their offence.
January 1
HE soldiery are obliged, the Lord’s
day not excepted, to attend twice or
thrice a day at the calling of the rolls.
There being now four regiments and part of
another among us, who have much leisure
on their hands, what pity is it that they are
not ordered to attend prayers in the churches
nearest to them, once a day at least; and if
their chaplains would give a few words of
exhortation at those seasons, and employ
but one hour in a week, in catechising or
instructing the soldiers in the fundamental
principles of Christianity, many of whom
appear to be as ignorant thereof, as those
who are inlisted under the banners of
Mahomet. — Might it not be hoped and ex¬
pected, that their morals would be reformed,
whereby they would become better soldiers,
and render their residence in any town less
intolerable to the sober inhabitants. —
The noise of the fife was this day more
general and offensive than it has been upon
any Sabbath, since the troops came among
us.
January 2X
This day the Court of Admiralty for the
trial of the libels against Mr. Hancock and
others, on presumption that a few pipes of
Madeira wine had been landed, more than
was entered, again sat, and a number of
witnesses were examined by the court, in a
most extraordinary and curious manner;
Mr. Hancock’s nearest relations, and even
his tradesmen were summoned as evidences;
but nothing turning up, that could support
the libel against him, the court was again
adjourned to the 4th instant, for a further
examination.
A vessel, which was loaded and just upon
sailing for the West-Indies, has been lately
seized, by order, as it is said, of the C — m —
rs, to the great damage of the concern’d
in the present adventure, only on supposi¬
tion that a voyage or two before, some wines
brought from the Western Islands, had been
landed out of her, without an entry, and
paying the duties; which Americans look
upon as illegal and unconstitutional, being
laid not for the regulations of trade, but
for the express purpose of a revenue. The
duty upon wines from the Western and
Portugal islands, is seven pounds sterling
per ton; half the value of some of those
wines; while the duty in England on the
best Portugal wines is not half that sum;
this is at once destroying our trade with
those islands, which took off great quanti¬
ties of our lumber and fish, and often en¬
abled us to make remittances to Great-
Britain, in wines, direct, or in a circular way
of trade, which the heavy duty now prevents;
there being no draw-back allowed on ex¬
portation: Those restrictions and incum¬
brances must prove as baneful to the mother
country as to the colonies: the depriving us of
any article of remittances, must lessen the
importation of British manufactures in the
same proportion.
January 3
A letter signed by upwards of two hundred
of the merchants and traders of Philadelphia,
has been transmitted to the merchants and
manufacturers of Great Britain, acquainting
them that they look upon the iate statutes,
imposing duties on paper, glass, &c. as
unconstitutional and destructive of their
rights, as their brethren and British sub¬
jects; which the Assembly of their province
have, with decency and firmness remon¬
strated against, to the British legislature;
they also represent in a clear and striking
manner the impolicy of those acts, and the
other burdens and restrictions upon trade;
that unless they are speedily relieved from
those unnatural and useless fetters, it is their
1 Items from January 2 to January 5, 1769, inclusive, are taken from the Boston Evening Post , February 20,
1769, pp. 1-2.
44
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
serious and candid opinion the commerce
between Great Britain and her colonies,
must of necessary consequence greatly dimin¬
ish, and as they add, the general importa¬
tion of goods suddenly cease. — It is our
hearty wish that the mild, and cautious efforts
of the Philadelphia merchants , may be equally
effectual with the more spirited and disinter¬
ested measures of their brethren in the neigh¬
bouring colonies , to obtain immediate relief;
or in case of a contrary effect, serve to convince
them of the justice, as well as necessity of
carrying their significant intimation into
speedy execution. The instructions of the
freeholders of the city and county of New-
York, and of Queen’s county, to their
representatives in the General Assembly,
now sitting, being replete with patriotic
sentiments, and discovering their disposition
to confirm the present happy union sub¬
sisting between the colonies; have been read
with pleasure, and as they convey the
political sentiments of so great a part of that
respectable province; we flatter ourselves,
that their Assembly, before their present
session is ended, will fully harmonize with
their constituents therein, which they have
till now been prevented from doing, by
frequent prorogations.
We have the pleasure to find that the
General Assembly of South-Carolina, with
respect to the Massachusetts Circular Let¬
ter, have acted with their usual spirit, and
in a manner becoming the dignity of the
representatives of a free people; their whole
proceedings relative thereto, have been
transmitted to the Hon. Thomas Cushing,
Esq; Speaker of the late House of Assembly
of this province, with a letter from the Hon.
speaker of that house — the greatest part of
which is as follows, —
sir,
It is with a satisfaction equal to the im¬
portance of the subject, that I obey the
order of the house, in informing you of their
unanimous resolutions upon the subject
matter of your letter; in acquainting you of
their entire approbation, of the measures
taken by the late House of Representatives
of the province of Massachusetts-Bay, to
obtain a redress of our grievances; and in
thanking the members of that house, in
their name, for communicating to their
fellow subjects and sufferers, in this, and the
other provinces, their proceedings upon that
trying occasion. I inclose you the journals
of the proceedings of our House of Assembly,
during the short, but interesting period of
their existence, as printed by their order:
Which must convince the impartial world,
that they have acted with duty and affec¬
tion to his Majesty, at the same time, that
they have supported with firmness, the
rights they hold under the constitution. —
The House was dissolved by proclamation
in the evening of the day, that they entered
into their resolutions — This method of pro¬
ceeding, may for a time involve the province
in some difficulties; but I trust that nothing
which the Ministry can invent, will ever
prevail upon a Commons House of Assembly
of South-Carolina, tamely to surrender the
liberties and privileges of the people, to any
power upon earth. I am, Sir, with great
respect, your obliged and obedient servant,
P. Manigault.
Those who have distinguished themselves
in our Assembly, by their zeal for the rights
of their constituents, and of America in
general, cannot but receive a very sensible
pleasure from such weighty and honourable
testimonies, to the justice of their senti¬
ments, and the importance of the cause in
which they have shewn such firmness; while
they have been represented to Administra¬
tion, by some among ourselves, as the dregs
of a faction, confined even to a single town
in this province. It is universally acknowl¬
edged, that Lord Hillsborough’s letter was a
most impolitick measure, and that it has had
an effect directly contrary to his Lordship’s
intention: Nor is it to be supposed that this
and similar measures would have been
taken, had those upon whose representation
his Lordship formed his idea of American
affairs, transmitted him a just and candid
account of them; those persons ought there¬
fore to be answerable for the dishonour and
embarrassments, which their own representa¬
tions have occasioned.
January 5
The Court of Admiralty on Mr. Hancock’s
libels, sat yesterday, and again this day, by
adjournments; the examination of witnesses
still continues; It is said they have been
summoned by orders given immediately by
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 45
the Commissioners, and by the warrants
which the Commissioners had taken out
blank, and filled up with such names as had
been kept secret, even from the register, and
their own advocate; — adjourned to Satur¬
day.
A vessel with molasses, owned by a mer¬
chant in this town, which had been obliged
to put into Salem, by stress of weather, re¬
ported her cargo there; as she was proceeding
for this port, where the same was to be
legally entered, at the Custom-House, she
was taken by one of our little guarda coastas,
the captain of which it is said gave £100
sterl. for his commission, and is detained on
the frivolous pretence, that in searching her,
they found three or four casks of molasses
more than was reported at Salem, tho’ the
entry was to be made in this port.
A coasting sloop owned in George Town,
at the eastward, when proceeding to that
place, was stopt and searched by one of our
guarda coastas, having some goods on board
which were not specified in her clearance, she
has been seized and now detained, its to be
feared, to the distress of many inhabitants
there, who being remote from supplies, de¬
pended on receiving by her the chief part of
their winter provisions and stores: Formerly
our coasting vessels going from one part of
the province to another, did not clear out;
lately it has been practiced to clear them out
with ballast and stores, as the poor people
who send up their memorandums by those
vessels for supplies, must put the master to
great difficulty in obtaining a clearance or
cocket, as well as themselves to a charge;
this vessel was thus cleared out, as was
another which sailed in company, having
much the same articles on board, which was
also stopt, but immediately suffered to
proceed: Such advantage taken of one and
not of another, now puts the shippers to the
great trouble and charge of clearing out even
a jarr of olives, or the smallest article of
English goods, going from one part of the
colony to another. — It is said the merchants
of So. Carolina disputed clearing out enu¬
merated goods, going from one part of the
province to another some of which were
seized and libelled in a court of admiralty,
but the decree went in favor of the mer¬
chants, — a like dispute happened at New-
York.
Another vessel bound from hence to
Portsmouth, in Piscataqua, has been taken
into possession by one of our guarda coastas;
this cruising captain, having found by
searching, there was a barrel of Madeira
wine on board, which had been shipt un¬
known to the coaster, as a barrel of vinegar;
it seems those English guarda coastas, are
more haughty & severe then are the French
and Spanish; for they bore and tap casks
and practice every art to discover a mistake,
which they may take advantage of; in short
a simple coaster must now be fully ac¬
quainted with the whole science of trade, or
expose himself, owners and freighters, to
great loss, if not ruin.
It is said one of our English guarda coastas
pursued a vessel to sea, which had sailed on
a foreign voyage, and actually took out a
seaman, which they suspected might make
a good witness against a Cape Ann sloop,
lately seized for having landed more mo¬
lasses than was entered. — As the vessel thus
deprived of a seaman, may be lost by this
management, its supposed a good action for
damages lies against the captain of the
guarda coasta.
Several other vessels, besides those al¬
ready mentioned have been stopp’d by our
guarda coastas, from proceeding to their
ports, on one pretence or another, and if
brought upon trial, and acquitted, the mis¬
fortune of Americans is, that a judge of
admiralty, by declaring it as his opinion,
that there was probable cause of action , it
shall bar the claimant from recovering
damages, or even charges: But what is a
still greater misfortune, those American
judges have now as it is said, a salary fixt of
£600 sterling per annum, whose commissions
run during good behaviour, and their con¬
tinuance in office must depend on pleasing a
minister, or those interested men in all
seizures on this side of the water, whose
approbations or complaints, unhappily for
us, have lately had too much credit and re¬
gard paid to them by Administration.
January 6l
The winter does not prevent the people of
1 Items from January 6 to January 8, 1769, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , February 2, 1769, p. 1.
46 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
Halifax from flocking over to us; a number
of vessels have lately arrived from thence,
with passengers; one schooner has brought
not less than a hundred, chiefly women; the
dregs and refuse of all nations, which the
army and navy had collected together in
that place; those miserables are daily apply¬
ing to the Selectmen, and overseeers of the
oor, for relief: The inhabitants of this town
ave been justly applauded, for their com¬
passion, not only to their own poor, but unto
strangers; our loss of trade, upon which we
chiefly depend for a support, which is wholly
owing to the late injudicious restrictions, and
the imprudent severities of a G — r, C — m —
rs, and custom-house officers, has brought
us into great distresses; our alms house and
work house, tho’ large and commodious, are
now fill’d; a great proportion of those ob¬
jects, are strangers and not inhabitants of
any town in this province; many of our own
poor are thro’ necessity supported out of
the alms house; and their numbers daily
increasing; what must then become of those
who are posting to us from all quarters!
Charity, however extensive has its bounds.
A vessel is just arrived from New-York,
the master of which it is said, gives out, that
he has brought from thence for the C — m — rs
10,000 ounces of silver, which had been col¬
lected in that port, from the new duties;
about 700 ounces of which is in wrought
plate , which some of the principal merchants
in that city had been obliged to part with
from their side boards; by reason of the
scarcity of coin’d silver and bullion; we also
learn that other merchants have been
necessitated to deliver up sugars and other
articles to the custom-house officers, which
have been housed in the King’s warehouses,
for want of cash to discharge the duties.
The same has been done by our merchants
on the like occasion. What can more clearly
point out , the impolicy , not to say cruelty of the
projects for an American revenue ? our laws
restrain the most hard hearted sheriff from
levying their executions on a tradesman s tools ,
which are considered as the life of his family;
the wisdom of late politicians , have permitted
the most cruel and voracious of all men;
C — m — rs, c — m — house and r — v — ue o — rs1,
to seize upon all the little circulating cash of
our merchants , which may properly be de¬
nominated the very life blood of American
commerce: It cannot however be very long
before distressing sympathy will force its self
upon the British merchant and manufacturer ,
— then, and not till then , may Americans
rationally expect full relief from that quarter.
January 7
This day the Court of Vice Admiralty
again sat, and the doors ordered to be shut,
when several further interrogations were
filed: In examining and re-examining wit¬
ness, the method, in some of its circum¬
stances, appeared so extraordinary to a
gentleman who attended as council, that he
could not help observing in open court, that
the proceedings, he thought, were more J
alarming than any that had appeared to the
world, since the abolition of the Court of
Star Chamber. It is certainly a matter of
great importance to America, that this court
should be kept within its constitutional f
bounds. Can it be a question whether its
jurisdiction ought to be confined to trans¬
actions upon the seas , as in England; this
seems to be favoured even by the Act of the
4th Geo. III. by which fines and forfeitures
may be recovered in the Common Law
courts, as well as the Admiralty: If so, one
would think the business now before this
court, which concerns matters done on the
land , ought to be tried by the law of the land ,
and the subject would then have the benefit
of that inestimable ENGLISH institution,
a jury ; — when there will be an end to the
calling of witnesses in this case to support
the libels filed, is difficult to determine: Al¬
most every person already, who has the
least connection with the parties accused, or
who can be supposed to have the knowledge
of the secrets of their business , has been
pressed in the service, but to no purpose
hitherto. It is justly to be expected that a
true state of this extraordinary trial, being
the first of the kind in America, will be
published to the world: South-Carolina has
obliged us with an account of some pro¬
ceedings of the Admiralty, of that province;
wherein the claims of the custom-house
officers there, were defeated, and their ex¬
pectations disappointed by the decree of the
Commissioners, custom house and revenue officers.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 47
judge, who it is said has since resigned. —
The observations that are made in an ap¬
pendix to this pamphlet, are so pertinent
and judicious, as to have a place in the
valuable Boston Gazette, to which we would
refer those of our readers, who have not met
with the pamphlet itself. The Court of
Admiralty again adjourned to next Tuesday
fortnight.
A young officer in the Admiralty Court,
publickly declared yesterday, that G. B — d
had positive orders not to summon a General
Assembly till May next, and not even then,
but upon some conditions. It is probable
this may be given out to cheer up the spirts
of the sticklers for the present severities; it
is certain that it militates with the advices
from our friends by the last packet, which
give us the strongest assurance of a change,
not only of measures , but of men too. — The
following is an extract of a letter to this
purpose, from a gentleman in London, to his
friend in Boston, Oct. 4, 1768. “Your
troops, you may depend upon it, will all be
called away in the spring, and the ships, too,
Doctor F — has given it as his opinion, that
the colonies will obtain all that they can
desire or wish for; if they behave with firm¬
ness. Your Commissioners stand here ex¬
actly in the character that they have estab¬
lished for themselves in America, and its
the opinion of every one that the Board will
be recalled, and a new Governor appointed
for your province; Lord H — gh himself says,
he entirely dislikes their conduct.” We are
surprised the Commissioners have been con¬
tinued thus long ; as to G. B. he has undoubtedly
involved himself and the officers of Government
in perplexities , — that cool judgment , extensive
views , and upright intentions , would have
avoided ; and he has now so totally lost the
affections and confidence , not only of the
C — / and A — ss — y, but of the whole people ,
that its thought he never can conduct the King's
service with dignity and advantage in this
province ; unless it could be thought favourable
to this service , to have the province perpetually
embroil'd and made uneasy .*
January 8
The unhappy consequences of quartering
troops in this town, daily visible in the pro¬
faneness, Sabbath breaking, drunkenness,
and other debaucheries and immoralities,
may lead us to conclude, that our enemies
are waging war with the morals as well as
the rights and privileges of the poor inhab¬
itants.
The grand jury for this county, broke up
on Friday, having made more presentments
than has been known for many years; a
considerably part of which has been occa¬
sioned by the detentions, assaults, robberies,
&c. made by the soldiery, on the inhabitants
of this town.
January P2
Among the bills found by the late grand
jury; one was against the two soldiers who
affronted Mr. Gray a merchant of this town
by stopping him for not answering to their
challenge, and then putting him under
guard, of which mention has been made
before; our young K — g’s Att — y, refused
his assistance in drawing it up, alledging as
it is said, that “If a soldier should with his
fixed bayonet at the breast of an inhabitant
stop and detain him two hours, it would not
in law be adjudged an assault.” It is hoped
a court and jury will otherwise determine it,
and that it will no longer be a doubt even in
the minds of the most sceptical that the law
of the land is to yield to the maxims of a
meer oeconomy of the military, in civil com¬
munities.
Upon the arrival of letters here, brought
by the October packet, it was given out that
L — d H — Is — gh in a letter to G. B. expresses
his approbation of the G — r’s conduct in
not calling for troops to aid the civil power,
the last summer, when the Council advised
against this measure; but that at the same
time his lordship reprehends the Council for
giving such advice. This report does not
indeed gain credit among sensible people,
who cannot suppose that L — d H — Is — gh
would take upon himself to reprehend his
Majesty’s Council who doubtless agreeable
to their oaths acted according to their best
judgment, tho’ from the idea which his
lordship at so great a distance had been led
to form of this affair, he might apprehend
them mistaken. Nothing however can be
1 All of the above section in italics is omitted from the Boston Evening Post.
5 Items from January 9 to January 15, 1769, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , Supplement , February
9, 1769, pp. 1-2.
48 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
plainer, and the Government at home is
perhaps before now thoroughly sensible,
that this advice of Council, was wise and
just, tended to promote the true service of
his Majesty, and the peace and welfare of
this his province. One cannot forbear how¬
ever to remark from this report, and the
quarter from which it comes, how indis¬
creetly some people, would represent Lord
H — Is — gh as a mere eccho to every senti¬
ment suggested from this side the water , how¬
ever impolitick and absurd. It is not doubted
but the Ministry have prudently exerted
the utmost of their influence at the first
meeting of Parliament, to obtain a parlia¬
mentary sanction to the step taken by them
in sending troops to America, lest those
disagreeable consequences should have fol¬
lowed thereon, as has been predicted by
those who disapprov’d of so extraordinary a
measure.
January 10
It is said orders have been given by
C — re H — d for all his little guarda costas
to put out of harbour on a cruise along the
coast and in our bays, doubtless by direction
or advice of G. B. and the C — mi — rs, who
are in hopes that the season of the year may
have encouraged some captains or owners to
aim at making a few savings, with regard to
the new and disputed duties; or whose
ignorance may have led them into mistakes,
of which they may make advantages upon
discovery. We cannot but regret that an
officer appointed by the great Mr. Pitt , and
who during the late war was so successful in
destroying the trade of our foreign enemies,
should now be so unfortunately employ’d in
distressing our own: It is however well
worthy the notice of the British merchants
and manufacturers; that notwithstanding all
the diligence, low arts and severity of the
G — r and C — m — rs, supported and assisted
by a navy and standing army, not one
article has as yet been made prize of, that in
the least interferes either with the growth or
manufactures of the mother country.
January 11
We are told that there have been great
murmurings and uneasiness among the sol¬
diery, who instead of being paid their sub-
sistance money as on their first arrival, have
for some time past been obliged to receive
the same in beef, which our butchers have
agreed to deliver the contractor through the
year at one penny three farthings stir. pr. lb.
the men alledge, that with their own money
they could furnish themselves better pro¬
visions at a cheaper rate; beef since their
arrival being sold at one penny Y2 Pr- lb.
mutton at a less price, and the offals of
both at a mere trifle; and fish so cheap that
a cod of 15 lb. weight just out of the water
sells for about 9d.s terling, that as geese have
been sold at about one shilling sterling a
piece, turkeys of the same weight at Is. 4d.-
fowls at 4d. rabits Id. partridges 3d. Y and
other wild fowl in plenty, and the same pro¬
portion, they could, had they cash, have now
and then an article of this sort, in their mess ^
as well as their officers; but that now they^'
are worse off in the midst of the greatest
plenty and variety, than when in Hallifax
without it; on the other hand its said, that
provisions will probably be higher in the
spring, and if the men should have money
instead thereof, too considerable a part of it
would be converted into spirituous liquors
rather than eateables, how this matter will
end a little time may discover; this may with
truth be said, that the inhabitants are far
from interesting themselves in this dispute,
or doing any thing that may increase the 1
present ferment among the troops.1
January 12
The detention of the Portsmouth vessel
already mentioned at this season of the year
on account of a barrel of wine found on
board her, is like to prove very detrimental
to a great number of merchants in those
parts, who had goods on freight; one gentle¬
man in Kittery has a large ship ready for
sailing, waiting only for some necessaries
shipt him by said vessel. —
A coasting vessel owned at Biddeford
having according to custom been sent from
thence with a load of boards for New-Port,
without being cleared out, was there refused
an entry, and seized by the collector agree¬
able to orders received from the C — m — rs;
and notwithstanding it clearly appeared that
not the least fraud was intended by the
1 The last thirteen words of this item are omitted from the Boston Evening Post.
7°^/ cep
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
49
master or owner, but that his proceedure
was wholly owing to a supposition that it
would be justified by custom; the vessel was
libell’d in a court of admiralty, condemned,
and sold by a decree of said court: This is
not the only instance of an honest trader’s
being taken in and ruined, by presuming on
a customary indulgence, indulgences which
in some places are often given and frequently
withdrawn without previous and public
notice, whereby to the scandal of office they
become means, in the hands of the revenge¬
ful and hungry officer to ensnare and entrap I
the unwary, but honest trader.
It is confidently reported that the A — y
G — 1 on the other side of the water has given
it as his opinion, that the officers of the
Custom House cannot legally oblige, and
ought not to insist upon those vessels who
coast it from one part of the province to
another, being cleared out as is usual on
foreign voyages; but notwithstanding this,
there is a greater strictness than ever with
regard to such vessels, to the unspeakable
worry, and also expence of the concerned;
there is however this good grows out of the
practice, that the more difficulty and charge
there is in conveying and transporting
British wares from one town to another, the
greater encouragement and stimulus is
given the inhabitants to manufacture for
themselves , or become more frugal in the
consumption of all foreign articles.
January 13
The present scarcity of money is so great,
owing to the destruction of trade, and the
monopoly that a large number of revenue
officers, place men &c. have made of the
same by the instrumentality of the late
duties; that some gentlemen among us who
have their moneys in the British funds, have
given orders to their merchants to withdraw
or dispose of the same, expecting greater
advantages may be made with those monies,
on this side the water; perhaps other reasons
operate; stocks had certainly fallen 6 pr.
cent: In October last — and advices intimate,
that they were like to be still further affected
by the measures pursuing.
The honourable House of Representatives
of the province of New-York by a manly ,
patriotick conduct on a trying occasion have
fully supported the character of an American
Assembly; in the course of their late session
they completed a petition to his Majesty,
another to the Lords, and a remonstrance to
the Commons of Great-Britain, in order to
obtain a redress of grievances; and then
took into consideration the circular letters
from the Assemblies of Virginia and Massa¬
chusetts Bay, which they unanimously re¬
solved to answer in the most respectful
manner, and fully to concur with the senti¬
ments of the said Assemblies expressed in
those letters; and having entered into a
number of spirited resolves in favour of
liberty and the rights of their constituents;
their governor was then pleased to honour
them by a dissolution of the Assembly. The
speaker of the late House of Representatives
for this province, has just received the fol¬
lowing letter from the Honourable Philip
Livingston Esq. late Speaker of the House of (
Representatives of New-York.
To the honourable Thomas Cushing, Esq;
Speaker of the late House of Representatives
for the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay
31st December, 1768
SIR,
By order of the General Assembly of this
colony, I am to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 11th. of February last,
and am directed to assure you that they are
much obliged to your House of Representa¬
tives, for freely communicating their senti¬
ments, on a subject so interesting to all the
colonies; and are so far from considering it
as a desire of dictating to the other Assem¬
blies, that they highly applaud them for
their attention to American liberty, and
hope the measures they have taken on this
important occasion, will fully convince them,
that the General Assembly of the colony of
New-York harmonizes with those of the
other colonies in their representations for
redress; they perfectly agree with your house
in their opinion of the fatal consequences
which must inevitably attend the operation
of the several acts of Parliament, imposing
taxes and duties in the American colonies;
and have therefore prepared petitions to his
Majesty, and the Lords Spiritual and
Temporal, and a representation to the Com¬
mons of Great-Britain, praying relief from
the grievances they labour under. They
entertain with your house the firmest confi-
50
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
dence in his Majesty’s known clemency and
tender regard for all his subjects, and the
candour and justice of the British Parlia¬
ment; and are not without hopes that the
united supplications of all the colonies will
prevail on our most gracious sovereign and
the Parliament, to grant effectual redress,
and put a stop, for the future, to measures
so directly repugnant to the true interest of
the mother-country and the colonies. In
the name, and by order of the General
Assembly,
I am, with the greatest respect,
Your most obedient humble servant,
PHIL. LIVINGSTON, Speaker.
P. S. Robert Charles Esq; agent for this
colony, at the court of Great-Britain, is
instructed to co-operate with the agents of
the other colonies in their applications for
redress.
At a C — 1 last Thursday G. B. exhibited
another specimen of the inexpressible little¬
ness of his mind, and the fullness of its
enmity against the people: It seems some
boys were the other evening playing at foot
ball near the province house when either by
accident or design; they threw down one of
the centry boxes at the gate; this rude and
mischievous behaviour of children, the G — r
has represented to the C — 1 as a serious and
important matter, upon which he required
their advice or concurrence, in giving orders
to the King’s Attorney to prosecute them
for the same, which we are told has been
done; and we doubt not an account of this
little rude boyish trick, will be transmitted
to Administration with such glosses and
comments , as may have a tendency to im¬
press them with the heinousness of the
offence; and as another proof of the necessity
of regular troops, to keep the inhabitants in
order. We cannot but here observe that
notwithstanding the many insults offered,
and injuries done the inhabitants by our
~hew comers , and the danger we have been in
from their practices with the Negroes; that
the G — r has been so far from taking any
steps to secure or relieve us there-from, that
he has even suffered them to pass by him
wholly unnoticed.
January 14
We have lately been favoured with the
King’s most gracious speech to both houses
of Parliament; wherein his Majesty is
pleased to express his concern, that a spirit
of faction which he was in hopes had sub¬
sided, had again arisen in his American
colonies, and in one in particular to a con¬
siderable degree. — It is observable that the
countenances of our enemies appear very
jocund upon this occasion, while his Majesty’s
loyal subjects are distressed, that he has
conceiv’d such an unfavourable sentiment
of the temper of his colonists; who far from
the remotest disposition to faction or re¬
bellion, are struggling, as they apprehend,
for a constitution which supports the crown:
and for the rights derived to them by their
charter and confirm’d by the declaration of
his Majesty’s glorious ancestors, Wm. and
Mary, at that important era, the Revolution.
We shall make no further observations, but
only recite a paragraph which contains the
sentiments of truth — “It is a maxim of the
English law, and a principle founded in
reason, that “the King can do no wrong” and
we are ready to apprehend, that in the
present case the Ministry have done none;
but that the concern which his Majesty has
been graciously pleased to express, in re¬
gard to the colonies in general, and the
supposed disposition of one in particular,
is wholly grounded upon the misinforma¬
tion, and false representations of those, who,
if they do not sufficiently revere truth,
ought to tremble at the thought of deceiving
Majesty, and of plunging the greatest and
happiest empire which the sun ever shone
upon, into astonishment, anxiety and con¬
fusion! Perhaps accounts have been trans¬
mitted home similar to those said to have
been sent from hence to New-York, Nova-
Scotia, &c. in September last, viz. that a
certain cas — e was taken possession of, a
beacon erected, and thirty thousand men in
arms to oppose the landing of the King’s
troops. — A very few weeks will effect differ¬
ent impressions, in regard to the colonists,
and produce very different measures, which
we venture to predict, will terminate in the
prosperity of the whole empire.”
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
51
January IS1
The friends to a constitutional union and
harmony between Great-Britain and her
colonies, cannot but hope, and seriously
pray, that wise and faithful counsellors may
stand about the King, Men fearing God and
hating covetousness; and that the things
which belong to the national peace, may not
be hidden from the eyes of those who are
entrusted with the management of the na¬
tional concern.
January 16 2
An advertisement of C — e H — d, in this
day’s paper, would lead the public to con¬
clude, that the inhabitants of this town and
province were disposed to encourage the
desertion of seamen from his Majesty’s ships
in this harbour; as he therein informs, “that
between forty and fifty had deserted since
the 4th of last month, many of which are
harboured and concealed in the country, not
20 miles from Boston.” From the general
character of this officer, we cannot suppose
that he has designed unjustly to cast this
reflection upon the inhabitants, in order to
justify a severe impress for the manning of
the ships under his command; but rather
that he has been grossly imposed upon by
those enemies to truth and the peace of the
colonies and nation, which unfortunately for
an honest man, is the company he must
dispense with for the present: Justice to
ourselves however, requires, that we con¬
tradict so reflecting an assertion. — We have
no crimps in this town or near it, to whom
the merchants apply for seamen; and sailors,
especially at this season of the year, can be
of no kind of service in the country, and their
manners and behaviour are too disagreeable
to our country people, to permit of their
supporting or harbouring any of them: The
seamen who escape from what is now too
justly term’d in a time of peace, their wooden
prisons, immediately make out of the prov¬
ince for safety, and to seek voyages, not
being able to remain on shore for want of
the wages left behind them: This was
notoriously the case in the late war: We
were not favoured with one station ship
during the whole of it, but were obliged at
our own expence to build and man a number
of ships of war, for the protection of our
trade and coasts; notwithstanding which,
the King’s ships came from every quarter,
in order to get re-manned; those of their
companies that could escape, went into the
other governments, and our trade was so
distressed by impresses, that I assert a
truth, in declaring that seamen’s wages in
this place, were above fifty per cent, higher
than in those parts which were not visited
by any of the ships of war.
January 17
The desertions from the troops quartered
among us, still continue, and it is said in¬
crease, the treatment we have all along re¬
ceived from G. B. and the C — m — rs, lead
us to apprehend, that it will be represented
as owing to the management of the inhab¬
itants: It is known that these troops in
general, have been very uneasy, and it is
thought, if any large corps was to be sent
into the country after deserters, they would
leave behind them in the same proportion
smaller bodies have lately done; we will not
pretend to say whether this disposition to
desert, is owing to a disrelish to the service,
or a great liking the troops have taken to the
country: They observe, that the winter is
very moderate, the common people cheerful,
hearty, and well clad, and such variety and
delicacies in the markets in this town, as
lead them to conclude that they are now
got into Canaan, a land not indeed, abound¬
ing with silver and gold, but a land flowing j
with milk and honey.
January 18
This day being appointed for the celebra¬
tion of the Queen’s birth, there was a general
muster of the troops in the Common; the
thin appearance made by the several regi¬
ments, fully evinced that their being quar¬
tered in this town, was a measure as im-
politick as it was illegal. — A gentleman in
P - 1, when speaking of their arrival in
Boston, added, “I am very glad that the
trial of N — th A — r — ca and G — t B — n
has been made; for those disturbers of the
public peace, and subverters of government,
are now acquainted both with us and them-
1 This is “December 15” in the New York Journal , an obvious printer’s error.
2 Items from January 16 to January 24, 1769, inclusive, are from the Boston Evening Post , March 6, 1769,
p. 1, and March 13, 1769, p. 1.
Efl
52 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
selves .” — We are so, and wish we could
justly return the compliment: It may not
be improper to tell that little S — n,1 that
this province alone, raised four times the
number of troops now in town, in less weeks
than it has taken months to collect this
body of regulars, from all parts of the conti¬
nent; and that with our troops we took
Louisbourg, and thereby purchased a peace
for Europe, for a less sum, than the Boston
expedition, will cost the nation; and that if
the court of Versaillies had foolishly taken
it in their heads to have sent twice the
number of troops to have taken Boston, as
the court of London has sent, as it is said, to
support the laws which protect us, the con¬
duct of the Bostonians would have con¬
vinced the world, that Americans took a
pride to vie with Britons in spirit and resolu¬
tion upon a justifiable occasion.
Upon the arrival of the King’s speech,
while a few seemed to enjoy a triumph, the
greater part were of opinion, that the
warmth and severity of temper against
America, to which Administration had been
wrought up by cruel misrepresentations from
this side the water, would subside, as soon
as a fair state of facts could be obtained. —
We have the pleasure to find by the arrival
of Capt. Scott, that this opinion was not
ill-founded; the address of the House of
Lords & C — ns on the King’s speech, usually
a kind of echo of the speech, is somewhat
fainter than the original, they speak of us
as fellow subjects , and not as rebels & traitors
who have thrown off government , take notice
of our grievances , and intimate there will be
a redress. It seems that the transactions of
the town of Boston in Sept, last, in making
mention of a law of this province, that re¬
quires all the inhabitants to be provided
with arms, and in proposing that the several
towns should make choice of persons, there
being no Assembly, to join in humble peti¬
tions to our gracious sovereign, for the
redress of grievances, and to prevent rash
and violent measures, at so critical a season,
were a principal part of those misrepresenta¬
tions. It is certain that those transactions
were not in any degree contrary to law; what¬
ever wicked intentions have been basely
attributed to those who were in favor of
them, by such as presume to censure and
judge the secret thoughts of men, and to
attribute the vilest motives to all who op¬
pose their selfish views and dangerous inno¬
vations: Very few can doubt, that no art has
been unemployed, no pains spared by some
men among us, to represent those proceed¬
ings of the town, not only as illegal, but to
the highest degree factious and seditious;
one man in particular, whose opinion ought
to have great weight , if his moderation,
judgment and honesty were equal to his
station , has endeavoured to make it be be¬
lieved here, that these transactions, taken
in their circumstances and connections,
amount to treason itself, and that they would
be regarded in this light on the other side of
the water: If any thing could have driven
us into violent measures, the base, irritating
conduct of the man we are speaking of, must
have done it; but our loyalty and tender
affection for our mother country, notwith¬
standing her usage of us, prevented this
effect; the sword once drawn, might have
been drawn forever; — The vote of the town,
respecting being provided with arms, was
agreeable to a law of the province, and at a
time when a principal officer at Halifax, had
wrote up that a war with France was in¬
evitable; the Committee of Convention was
not formed, as has been basely represented,
upon the plan of 1689, — nor was it an actual
assumption of the powers of government;
the committee utterly disclaimed all govern¬
mental powers and authority, and only
considered themselves as persons chosen in
a most critical season, to consult and advise
for the peace and welfare of the province
and nation; That Government and the people
of Britain , now view things in this light , is as
much matter of joy to this loyal people , as it
is of fear and terror , to the great accusers of the
colonies in general , and this province in
particular.
January 19
It seems by the last accounts that com¬
plaints have been made at home, among
other things, against two very important
charter privileges, as great defects in the
constitution of this province; the one is, the
representatives of the people being in part
the electors of his Majesty’s Council; tho’
1 Statesman.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
53
the King’s Governor may negative whom
he pleases, a power which one G — r has for
years past exercised in the most wanton
manner, — the other, that grand juries are
chosen by the townships , and not by the
sheriff. This shews the spirit of some among
us, and with what implacable enmity they re¬
gard the constitutional rights of this people;
not content with having introduced a military
power among us, they would have things so
modelled, that the authority of the Council and
the law itself might be employed only as in¬
struments to promote the measures of arbitrary
power.
January 20
The commissions of the new appointed
J— s of Ad — Ity, are bro’t by Capt. Row¬
land; what an opinion can we form of the
policy of the present M — y, or of the sin¬
cerity of their pretended disposition to
pursue healing measures, when the most
unpopular men among us are the most
likely to be rewarded for their pr — f — ns,
rather than public services; we are assured
that those judges are to have their extra¬
ordinary salaries of £660 sterling per annum,
paid out of the fines and forfeitures. It is
hoped that the just complaints of America,
against the extention of the Court of Ad¬
miralty in opposition to the true spirit of
the English constitution, will one day be
attended to particularly in giving all causes
relating to the revenue, to this court, with¬
out jury. The Judge of Admiralty, in this
province, was formerly paid a commission
on the condemned goods, which did not, as
it is said, amount to £100 per annum on an
average. This, in order to make more and
fatter sinecures, was represented home to be
a kind of bribe against the subject, and it
was pretended, this grievance was to be
remedied by the new appointments; but if
the salaries are to be paid out of fines and
forfeitures, will not this be a strong tempta¬
tion to the judges and other revenue officers,
to take special care, that this fund do not at
any time fall short of the appointments for
which it is appropriated.
January 21
Lord H — Is — gh it appears is now smartly
pushed by some leading men in Parliament,
respecting his American measures; particu¬
larly his mandate to dissolve the Massachu¬
setts Assembly in case of non-rescinding,
and not allowing another to be called. This
step has been severely animadverted on,
both in and out of Parliament, as imprudent
and arbitrary, tending to make the people
desperate, and to create confusion. His lord-
ship we are told in vindication of himself has
declared, that he never prohibited the calling
of a new Assembly, but expected this would
have been done, soon after a dissolution. It
is certain the Massachusetts Commons
House, took notice in their reply to the
Governor, that his lordship’s letters, com¬
municated to them, contained no such pro¬
hibitions; and we find that the G — r of New-
York, after dissolving the Assembly of that
province, immediately issued writs for a
new choice; which perfectly accords to the
report of what his lordship has declared. In
what manner then will G. B. account for his
conduct, not only in forbearing to convene a
new Assembly, but in declaring himself as
not at liberty to do so, and speaking upon this
point in such a manner, as to lead people to
imagine, that it was altogether uncertain,
whether ever there would be another: Has he
so thorough a disaffection to the people whom
he governs, as to lead him, when the meas¬
ures of administration are severe beyond all
principles of policy and the constitution, to go
beyond his orders, to heighten the severity:
Whoever considers the temper of his ad¬
ministration, the ambition discovered of
forming the ideas of Administration, respect¬
ing American affairs, — and the attention
unhappily obtained among some leading
men in Government, cannot wonder at the
present distress of America; the convulsions
of this province, and the great embarrass¬
ments of the British Ministry.
January 22
The common soldiers continue their rob¬
beries and violences, and (in the latter) some
officers are no way behind them: A con¬
stable of this town was much wounded by
one of them the other night; a night after,
the south watch was assaulted by a number
who declared themselves custom-house and
naval officers; their language was most pro¬
fane, their threats high, their abuse to the
watch great, and their insult upon the
authority of the town audacious; they re¬
turned about one o’clock, bringing about
54 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
40 regulars, as they said with design to carry
off the watchmen, but the officer who com¬
manded those troops gave no offence, unless
it was in being witness to such ill behaviour,
without informing of or securing the of¬
fenders, that they might be dealt with
according to the merit of their crimes.
January 23
Two sailors report that they were the last
week taken up into a certain J — ’s chamber,
where they were privately examined, rela¬
tive to Mr. Hancock’s vessel, when ques¬
tions, to which they had given plain and
precise answers, were so reiterated to them,
that one of the sailors could not help asking,
whether it was really wanted, to have him
swear to what he had no knowledge of:
This practice of private chamber examination ,
seems to be an improvement upon Star Cham¬
ber proceedings and must tend to render
C — ts of A — y still more detestable to Ameri¬
cans.
January 24
Last Wednesday night several officers of
the army, sallied out of a house in King-
street, and meeting with one of the inhab¬
itants of the town, they beat and wounded
him very cruelly; soon after this feat, the
watch-house in that street, was attacked by
them, sword in hand; the watchmen de¬
fended themselves bravely, and one of them
was so lucky, as with his bill hook to twitch
into the watch-house one of those brave
leaders , who they immediately disarmed; the
noise and tumult occasioned by this assault
reached the ears of the military main guard,
who soon after made their appearance, and
released the hookt in officer , but the watchmen
could not be persuaded to part with his
sword , which they retain’d as a trophy of
their victory; and for a proof against the
offender, accordingly the next morning com¬
plaint was made to Mr. Justice Ruddock,
who by the help of the sword, gained knowl¬
edge of the owner, who was immediately
brought before him, and dealt with accord¬
ing to the law, made and enacted, for the
protection and support of the town watch,
while in execution of their duty.
The other evening the north-watch was
assaulted and much abused by some of our
military night arrants, they were not able
to seize any of the offenders, but having
discovered the name of one of them, a
warrant will be issued to bring him before
Mr. Justice Ruddock, to answer for his mad
behavior. — Another of our military knights,
was pleased to draw upon a number of young
fellows in King-street, who soon proved too
many for him, and had it not been for
timely assistance, his rashness might have
proved fatal to him. Abuses are daily offered
some one or another of the inhabitants, who
are generally for seeking redress in a legal
way ; and we cannot but hope that those of
the military, who oppose themselves to the
law of the land , will find the predictions of a
great lawyer verified; “that in so doing, they
knaw a file which will break their teeth.”
January 25 1
We hear that Samuel Venner , Esq; is by
the Commissioners, suspended from his
office of secretary of their board. — Various
are the reasons (without door) assigned for
this event, — some say it is for divulging
their secrets in July last, while others, who
pretend to know better, hint the true cause
to be his not retiring with them last summer
to the Castle, in order to help keep up the
appearance of their service being obstructed
in the town of Boston: Be it as it may, ’t is
said that a great person and the *******} are
his honourable accusers. — This gentleman,
Mr. Venner , with his family, has lived pretty
much retired in Boston, upwards of 14
months; and by his inoffensive deportment
he has rendered himself personally respected,
by those who knew him, while others of his
suit, by a different conduct, and scandalous
mean behaviour, are now justly despised by
all orders of people. — It may not be un¬
entertaining to remark, that when the four
fugitives , fled to the Castle last summer, as
it is said , for safety, the following gentlemen
of the suit did not fall in with their plan,
but resided safely in Boston, and went daily
to the Castle to do business — The Hon. Mr.
Temple, a Commissioner, Samuel Venner,
Esq; Secretary, Charles Stuart, Esq; Re¬
ceiver-General, John Williams, Esq; In-
1 Items from January 25 to January 29, 1769, inclusive, are from the Boston Evening Post, March 20, 1769, p. 1.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
55
spector-General, William Wooton, Esq; In¬
spector-General, David Lytle1, Esq; Solicitor-
General; Messrs. M’Donald and Lloyd,
principal Clerks; to these may be added, the
Collector and Comptroller of Halifax, then
in Boston, the Collector of Falmouth, the
Collector of Piscataqua, the officers of the
port of Salem, occasionally in Boston, during
the Board’s residence at the Castle; the
Searcher of Augustine, and all the officers
of the port of Boston, at their respective
duties, except the collector, who, (’tis said)
was, by positive order, detained, to keep up
the farce at the Castle, much against his
will. Neither of whom had, even the least
insult ever offered them; so that I think it
does not appear (however disagreeable the
institution was) that this town had any
design, illegally to prevent the Commis¬
sioners holding their board in the town,
whatever reasons they, or their grand ad¬
viser may have assigned for their decamping.
January 26
The court concert of the last evening was
it seems, turned topsy turvy, as Joan the
Italian's was a week or two before — Some
officers of the army were for a little dancing
after the music, and being told that G — r
B — d did not approve of their proposal,
they were for sending him home to eat his
bread and cheese , and otherwise treated him
as if he had been a mimick G — r; they then
called out to the band to play the Yankee
Doodle tune, or the Wild Irishman , and not
being gratified they grew noisy and clamor¬
ous; the candles were then extinquished,
which, instead of checking, completed the
confusion; to the no small terror of those of
the weaker sex , who made part of the com¬
pany. — The old honest music master, Mr.
D — bl — s, was roughly handled by one of
those sons of Mars; he was actually in danger
of being throatled , but timously rescued by
one who soon threw the officer on lower
ground than he at first stood upon; the in¬
offensive Bartholomew Gr — n, who keeps
the house for the Commissioners, presuming
to hint a disapprobation of such proceedings,
was, by an officer, with a drawn sword,
dragged about the floor, by the hair of his
head, and his honest Abigail , who in a
fright, made her appearance without an
head dress, was very lucky in escaping her
poor husband’s fate. Whether our G — r
will so resent this behaviour of the military,
as to collect affidavits , and make it a subject
of representation to Lord H — Is — gh, cannot
as yet be determined; be this as it may,
Mr. D — s has acted in character, having
delivered up the room, which he held from
the Commissioners, returned the subscrip¬
tion money, and wisely determined not to
give another concert, until he should again
have it in his power to preserve order and
decency in such an assembly.
January 27
We learn from the late Court Gazette,
that poor G. B. finds himself under great
difficulties from the constitution of this
province, particularly in two points we have
before mentioned, viz. The return of juries
by the towns , and the election of Counsellors,
in part, by the representatives of the people.
A complaint of these difficulties, the Gazette
says, was uttered on his behalf, by some
friends of the ministry in the House of
Commons. It was no doubt suggested in his
own account of affairs transmitted home;
and met with so much attention , as to pro¬
cure a kind of proposal in the House of
Commons, for altering the Massachusetts
government, in these important points. The
proposal however was opposed with much
energy and spirit, by a number of that
house, who observed, that such alterations,
instead of relieving , would still further em¬
barrass the administration of the colonies;
that mild measures, and a sacred regard to
charter rights, and some indulgences , even to
prejudice, would be much more likely to
secure the authority of Great Britain in
America, than severe measures (from which
the heart must revolt) enforced by a military
power, the last resource of ignorant despotism.
G. B. has had the modesty to profess pub-
lickly, that he had a kindness for the people
whom he governs, a friendship for their
privileges, and an enmity only to disorders
and violence. But, the mask drops off, and
by proposals among the M — y, and in the
House of C — m — ns, which one cannot but
suppose, originated from himself, we see his
strange dislike to the constitution itself,
established by charter. Every one ac¬
quainted with the government of this prov¬
ince, knows, that though the General As-
1 David Lesle in the New York Journal.
56
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
sembly elect the Council, the Governor has
a power to negative whom he pleases, and
that this power, together with the disposal
of offices, civil and military, create at least
as strong a dependance in the Council, on
the chair, as on the people; but, some men
are impatient of constitutional restraint, and
tho’ vested with much power, are restless
till it becomes unlimited. — Had G. B. less
affected to dictate and controul the Council,
and more encouraged, and regarded their
free, impartial advice, it would not have
injured either his own honour or repose,
while it might have greatly contributed to
the peace and welfare of the province.
Though the Council have been ready to
maintain the constitutional authority of the
chair, and have supported G. B. in exigencies ,
even to the disgust of many, yet they have
found themselves absolutely obliged, by
truth and justice , to give their advice upon
favourite points, not exactly agreeable to his
inclinations. They did this particularly, on
the question relating to the expediency of
introducing a military power into the prov¬
ince, the disorders in Boston, on the 18th
of March and 10th of June, and the retire¬
ment of the Commissioners to the Castle.
In resentment of these and similar acts of
Council, it is probable G. B. sent home his
complaints, that the Council chosen by a
popular Assembly , tho intended to support
government , became frequently the means of
weakening it. The Council for the Massa¬
chusetts, is elected by joint ballot of both
houses of Assembly. From the mode of ex¬
pression in this complaint, which has grown
of late very common among us, we cannot
but observe what ideas some men have of
government. The Council , a branch of the
legislature, was only intended to support
government: It is then no part of govern¬
ment, much less is the popular Assembly ,
meaning the lower house, by which it is
partly chosen; what then is government , why
the Governor alone. — Good God! what times
are we fallen into: King James's Governor
Andros , never carried his ideas of provin¬
cial despotism higher.
We have frequently been told, that the
leaders of the faction, as the cant phrase is,
are to be sent home, as state prisoners. — It
is now said that the accusations against
them, have been already forwarded, and
particularly in an anonymous letter to
Lord H — , and that his Lordship has stoop'd
so low as to take notice of it , and transmit it
back , to G. B. for the proper proof; in conse¬
quence of which, every method is made use
of in the inquisitorial court , secretly, to sup¬
port the charges against individuals, by
evidences taken exparte , which is repugnant
to law, reason, and common equity. If these
things are so, into what times are we fallen!
shall we compare them to the infamous
times of the Stuart's reign , or the dregs of
the Roman state, when street conversation
(however innocent) was taken up by vaga¬
bond pimps , employed and paid for their
pains and carried to their superiors, who
from thence formed the measures of the ad¬
ministration! It is well remembered, that
within these few years, such wretches were
employed to pick up materials of this sort;
one of whom swore criminality, against two
gentlemen of known reputation, alledging
in his affidavit, that he indeed heard not one
word they said, but that “by their looks he
was sure they were talkingagainst the G******.''
Such were the methods taken against a late
worthy collector M— B — s which caused his
removal, — such methods were taken against
the town of Boston, in the well known affair
of Capt. Malcomb, and other cases; — and
such we have reason to think are the methods
still used against this town and province , and
all America , otherwise it cannot be supposed
they could be charg’d in the most public
manner, as they have lately been, and this
by the greatest personage on earth.
January 28
Court of Admiralty again set for the ex¬
amination of witnesses, respecting Mr.
Hancock’s vessel; a c — t, as managed in
America, abhorrent to the English constitu¬
tion; what power is vested in a judge! His
decree may be said to be final, as in most
cases, an appeal from it cannot be pursued,
without involving the appellant in enormous
charges and the highest perplexities; how
great a grievance is it that a judge who
decides upon unlimited sums; is appointed
during pleasures , and not good behaviour; his
place therefore depends upon the favour of a
M — r, perhaps his subserviency to the views
of a designing Governor; this pay of former
judges, was a commission on condemnations;
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
57
It was viewed in the light of a bribe; the
grievance has been redressed , by substituting
a greater; the present judges salaries are to
be paid out of fines and forfeitures , and is six
times more upon an average than has been
received by all former judges thro’ the con¬
tinent.
January 29
The army has been often complimented,
as being the school of politeness; the practice
of some officers among us, leads observers to
conclude, they are of opinion, that cards and
shuttle cocks , furnish out a more agreeable
and becoming entertainment for gentlemen
on the Sabbath , than they can find in a church,
or in the works of a Tillotson or a Doddridge.
January 30l
Court of Admiralty again set for examining
and re-examining witnesses respecting the
libels against Mr. Hancock, &c. It may
perhaps be tedious to meet with these ac¬
counts, so often in this Journal; how grievous
then to the subject, to be obliged with his
council to dance - such attendance; must
it not excite indignation in every American,
to be told, that a number of gentlemen shall
by order of the C - m - rs be libeled for
about £50,000 sterling, and held under bail
thus long, when it appears that this was done
without their having any proof of the matter
of charge in their hands , but that the libels
were ordered to be laid, with design further
to harrass and distress a most amiable and
useful member of society, and in hopes that
some evidences would be fished up in the
course of a lengthy trial, which might sup¬
port those libels.
The C - m - rs affect to mimic high life,
not only in their dress, attendants, and in
rolling from house to house in their chariots
the best of weather; but by an attempt to
invert the order of nature; in turning day
into night and night into day — one or two
o’clock has been the hours for dining in this
town, time out of mind; the C - m - rs
have pitched upon four a clock as a more
courtly hour , and it cannot but excite ridicule
to perceive, G - n, L. G - r S - y &c.J
sacrificing their dignity together with their
appetites and health in conforming to the
mushroom gentry. — The following anecdote
may serve to give the public an idea of what
these people term tasty living, — a lady of
character, before the C — m — rs retired to
the Castle, made a visit to one of their
ladies, between the hours of 4 and 5 o’clock;
the visited came into the room, praying the
visitor to seat herself, and asking leave of
absence to finish her dinner; sometime after
she returned, and before the city lady de¬
parted she was led to understand that Mr.
C — m-r had engaged company who would
come at 1 1 o’clock to spend the evening with
him. The unpoliteness of the city lady in
breaking in upon a neighbour thus early,
was not a little diverting to our stranger,
and among other tea table chat soon after,
she could not help observing, that one of the
natives, awful creature! as she said, had
made her a visit before 5 o’clock. At the
same time intimating her fears that they
must be finally obliged, as to the time of
dining to conform to the natives, in order to
prevent such unseasonable interruptions.
January 31
At the Court of Sessions now setting, a
number of soldiers for hailing, stopping and
assaulting the inhabitants, have been tried
upon the bills bro’t against them by the last
grand jury, found guilty and fined — Our
young A — y G — l3 was pleased to enter a
noli prosequi upon a bill against some sol¬
diers for stopping and detaining several
gentlemen who would not answer to the
challenges of the guards; which bill he had
refused drawing for the jury, alledging that
no assault had been actually made upon
them — The persons indicted had been bound
over to this court, by an old magistrate,
learned in the law , to whom they had con¬
fessed the facts they were charged with.
This magistrate being upon the bench ani¬
madverted with freedom and spirit upon the
conduct of the A — y G — I, who tho’ only a
1 Items from January 30 to February 5, 1769, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , March 2, 1769, Supple¬
ment, pp. 1-2.
* The Boston Evening Post reads “ certain persons ” instead of “G - n, L. G - r S - y &c.” The Boston
editors were evidently intending to avoid libel suits; besides everyone in Boston must have known who were meant
by “certain persons.”
8 In the Boston Evening Post this reads “The A - y G - 1.”
58 BOSTON under MILITARY t RULE
council for the crown, should take upon him
in so unusual a manner, to controul the law
before he had taken the opinion of those who
were appointed the judges. Our Att-y G — 1,
who is also a J — d A — c — e for the crown,
was scarcely known as a lawyer till those
offices were conferred on him by a G — r,
who has also thro’ the c — p — n of the times
been able [to] procure him a salery of £600
sterling pr. ann! as a reward for certain
services.* 1 If such a — t’s, without consulting
a bench shall wantonly enter his noli prosiqui
upon bills found by a grand jury; and on
the other hand, only by information and
complaint, cause a subject to be harrassed
with a trial after a bill had been refused;
and this trial before judges who are not only
appointed during pleasure , but also pen¬
sioned ; we say if these things can be done
without violence to the constitution; our
good G — may then make himself perfectly
easy, tho’ he should not be able to obtain
his wish that the return of juries should not
be made as they have been, by the several
towns in the province, but by sheriffs of his
own appointment.
Last evening between nine and ten, a fire
broke out in the gaol in this town, which
notwithstanding the diligence and activity
of the inhabitants was consumed, leaving
nothing but the walls standing. It is said
that one of the criminals in the prison will¬
fully set fire to it — the distress of the poor
prisoners was great, the keeper of the goal
having in his fright mislaid his keys, divers
of them were in eminent danger of perishing
before they could be relieved, and some of
them finally escaped very much burnt — The
piquet guard were ordered out to attend this
fire with their musquets and bayonets , and
drew up in Queen-street opposite the gaol,
but the officer of the guard being told by the
firewards (a set of town officers who by the
law of the province have the sole conduct
on these occasions) that they could be of no
assistance in that manner, but were rather
an obstruction; that such an appearance was
disgustful to the inhabitants; and that he
must either draw his men off again, or they
must assist in such a way as the firewards
should direct, they retired to the main guard
house: After which the gentlemen of the
army attended and offered the assistance of
the soldiers unarmed , as did the navy officers
that of the seamen, whose laudable activity
and perseverance together with that of the
inhabitants, prevented the spreading of the
fire which through the whole night threatened
great desolation in the very center of the
town.
February 1
HIS day at a general Council, the
Governor after informing them that
he had been able to persuade his
friend2 Commodore Loring to consent to be
an acting magistrate ; he was pleased to
nominate and appoint him a justice of the
peace for the county of Suffolk; together
with Robert Auchmuty, Esq; the late con¬
stituted Judge of Admiralty for this prov¬
ince — As the knowledge of the law cometh
not by inspiration, we may conjecture, that
the sphere of action marked out for the
Commodore , has more relation to the law
martial than the common law; Judge Auch¬
muty who is the fourth appointed reforming
justice, is a sterling acquisition, and G — r
B — d cannot but flatter himself that by the
exertions of this meritorious and unbashful
judge, the bench of justices will soon become
as agreeable to Lord H — gh and his reforming
coadjutors, as any modern Court of Ad¬
miralty on the continent, we learn that
before G. B. left the council chamber he
could not help discovering how much he had
been nettled, by some late publications; he
hinted to some of the gentlemen, his sur¬
prize, that his proposals , reasonings and
conversation at the board, should so find the
way out , and was pleased to intimate that
in preventing it, their own honour would be
consulted rather than his peace , as those
publications gave him no personal uneasi¬
ness; we would only remark, that this
speech of the G — r’s evidences the exactness
of our relations, and indeed the greatest
enemy his public conduct has made him,
could not better satisfy his revenge , than by
setting it in its truest point of light; the least
deviation therefrom, must take off from that
just detestation which as the Philadelphia
citizens express it, “this infamous G — r
1 This entire sentence is omitted from this item in the Boston Evening Post.
1 The two words, “his friend,” are omitted from the item in the Boston Evening Post.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
59
ought to be held in, not only by the citizens
of Boston, and the inhabitants of the Ameri¬
can colonies, but by every individual whose
heart is animated with a single sentiment of
liberty.”
February 2
The following paragraph has appeared in
several of our news papers viz. "We hear
from Londonderry in the province of New
Hampshire that a sergeant and some soldiers
having apprehended two deserters, were
surrounded on the road about six miles from
the place where they first took them in
custody, by 100 or 150 armed men, who
obliged them to release their prisoners.”
this relation seems calculated to answer the
purposes of a certain party among us; it is
therefore necessary to set it right; we have
before mentioned that a number of persons
were strolling about the country in disguise,
who were guilty of such impositions as might
be productive of disagreeable consequences;
the best and we believe true account of the
above release is; that two men strangers, were
travelling into the country, and made Lon¬
donderry in their way. Soon after their
arrival, four men, in sailors habits , entered
the town, and in a hostile manner seized the
two strangers, and were carrying them away.
This extraordinary behaviour of the four
supposed sailors alarmed some of the in¬
habitants; and four men instead of one hun¬
dred and fifty mentioned, pursued them,
determined to know the cause of their
intrusion and violent measures; upon their
overtaking the party, a parley ensued; and
the prisoners were released. Had these four
men in sailors habits produced a , warrant
from any legal authority , to justify their
proceedings, they would not have been
opposed ox prevented in the execution thereof:
or had they been soldiers, appeared in their
proper regimentals , and published their busi¬
ness, due respect would have been paid to his
Majesty’s messengers; and if requested,
necessary aid would have been granted: But
if any of his Majesty's immediate servants , or
any other persons , shall presume to enter a
town disguised in such a manner as not to
be known , and without any lawful authority
violently seize upon and attempt to carry
away, any of the proper inhabitants, or even
strangers cohabiting with them, such persons
might reasonably expect opposition , and
without satisfaction suffer the consequence.
February 3
A vessel that came from Madeira about
six weeks ago, which had been entered, and
loading again for another voyage, was this
day seized by order of the C — m — rs, and
one of their officers placed in her who forbid
the owner coming on board, without in¬
forming him of the pretence for the seizure.
No foreign article, has yet been found in any
vessel that has been seized or searched, in¬
terfering in the least with the manufacture
of Great-Britain, but it seems the C — m — rs
would have it appear otherwise; the libel
lately filed against the coasting vessel for
having a barrel of wine found on board in¬
stead of vinager, also mentions a trunk of
silk, which upon enquiry only contains a few
made up capuchins and other little articles
sent from hence to Salem. What damage to
the mother country as well as the colonies , will
the ignorance and malice of this naval b - d
occasion.
February 4
We learn from South-Carolina that writs
have been issued for calling a new Assembly,
after the dissolution of the last for not
rescinding, as has been done by every Governor
on the continent, excepting ONE, the
M — tts, whose ambition leads him to make
his administration as odious and distressing
to the people as is possible: Some letters
from thence also mention ‘‘that as the
American Board of Commissioners are de¬
termined at carrying all their powers into
execution, they shall not be surprised, to
hear orders are given to make another at¬
tempt to oblige all the schooners in that
province, that go over the bay to enter and
clear at the office.” The conduct of the
B — d of C — m — rs in this place, cannot but
lead us to conclude, that they conceive the
great design of their institution, is not for
the regulation , but absolute destruction of
trade, and fleecing of the merchants; the
little guarda costas under their directions
continue stopping and searching of coasters ,
and the masters chests do not escape a
rummage; and it is as true as it is vexatious ,
that even open boats from Cape-Ann beech
with sand , are put to the charge of making
an entry at the custom-house, and this not¬
withstanding the opinion of the Attorney
60 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
G — 1 Mr. D — g. has been sent over, which
is clearly against the propriety and right,
of their obliging vessels going from one part
of the province, to another, to an entry.
We have advice from North-Carolina
that the General Assembly of that province,
had read and answered the Virginia and
Massachusetts Circular Letters, with all due
respect, and agreed upon a petition to his
Majesty for a redress of grievances. That
their Regulators had drove a gang of vil¬
lains into the back of South-Carolina, where
by reason of the CIRCUIT court act, not
having been confirmed at home, fresh un¬
easiness had been given the inhabitants, the
consequence whereof they could not pretend
to tell; however this may be, we do not hear
that their Governor desires or has wrote for a
single grenadier to protect and assist the civil
magistrates in that province in the execu¬
tion of their duty.1
February 5
There has been much talk of an anonimous
letter sent from hence to Lord Hillsborough
and by him remitted to Governor Bernard:
For some time the report was not credited,
but now the fact is ascertained, Governor
Bernard has shewn the letter to some gentle¬
men: who waited on him last week, re¬
questing a sight of it but did not allow a
copy of it to be taken. It speaks highly of
Governor Bernard, &c. but contains the
most malignant insinuations against some
respectable gentlemen in this town who are
mentioned by name. It speaks of deep and
dark designs carrying on notwithstanding
the peaceable landing of the troops: of an
alliance to be formed between Holland and
some of the colonists in order to throw off
the dependance of the latter upon Great-
Britain at the first breaking out of a new
war, and of 30,000 men between Boston and
New-York ready to take up arms, it advises
that some leading men should be inveigled
over to Britain, and not sent there by force,
lest this should make too much noise and
occasion resistance. The Governor it is said
declared that he made no account of the
letter, and should make no account of it in his
dispatches — Be this as it may, is it not
astonishing, that a letter so palpably base
and malicious, so extravagantly false, and
without a name, should be so much noticed
by a S — y of S — te as to be returned by him
to G. Bernard. Here is a fresh specimen of
the methods that have been employed against
the rights of the colonists , and those gentlemen
that have distinguished themselves in favour
of those rights. Had such a letter been written
on the other side the question , and so much
noticed , what reflections would have been made
upon it\
February 62
We cannot forbear making a few observa¬
tions on the curious and laboured accounts,
of the sentiments of the British Govern¬
ment, and the debates in the House of Com¬
mons on American affairs, given in the
Court Gazette, of Thursday last. What
pains are taken, to make us believe, con¬
trary to the latest and most authentick
advices from home, that the affairs of Amer¬
ica in general, and particularly of this prov¬
ince, are in a situation almost desperate,
only because a few among us have done
every thing in their power to make them so,
and cannot endure the thoughts of not
having their own prophesies fulfilled, their
misrepresentations successful, and their ma¬
levolence gratified. — It seems that of late,
Administration has not only adopted im¬
plicitly the accounts of facts, but the reason¬
ings upon them, and even governmental
matters, as they have been stated, and
suggested by a few of its servants on this
side the water: Hence the embarrassments
of the Ministry, and the perplexity of the
nation, from the unnatural contest with the
colonies, at a season when the circumstances
of Europe, require the most perfect union at
home, to give weight to our negotiations,
and awe to those, who might wish to disturb
our repose. —
The tenor of his Majesty’s speech at the
opening of the Parliament, as it respects
America is easily accounted for, from the
budget , which about that time was received
from hence. The Ministry seem’d to believe,
at the first opening of the budget , that the
proceedings of a certain town in America,
1 The last paragraph of the item for February 4 is omitted from the Boston Evening Post.
2 Items from February 6 to February 9, 1769, inclusive, are from the Boston Evening Post, April 3, 1769, pp. 1-2.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
61
were not only to the highest degree seditious ,
but nothing short of treason itself; and that
they had full evidence of all this in their
hands. — Tho’ the people at a distance from
the seat of government, are always under
great disadvantages, with respect to a fair
state of their case in any disputes between
them and the servants of the crown, yet
truth very soon so far made its own way,
that upon a clear inspection into affairs, the
charge appeared to be laid too high: Nor is
there a person either in or out of Parliament,
who has justly stated or proved, one single
act of that town, as a public body, to be, we
will not say treasonable or seditious, but
even at all illegal: Nor is it in the power of
any man, either on this or the other side
the Atlantick, to do it. —
New vouchers we are told, are called for
from authority: This is no favourable symp¬
tom to the sudden and warm accusers: for
we believe there are more than one , who may
find it an Augean enterprise, to support
their own representation. For it is certainly
beyond human art and sophistry, to prove
the British subjects, to whom the priviledge
of possessing arms is expressly recognized
by the Bill of Rights, and, who live in a
province where the law requires them to be
equip’d with arms, &c. are guilty of an
illegal act , in calling upon one another to be
provided with them, as the law directs. But
if some are bold and base enough, where the
interest of a whole country is at stake, to
enetrate into the secrets of the human
reast, to search for crimes, and to impute
the worst of motives to actions strictly legal,
whatever may be thought of their expedi¬
ency, it is easy to recriminate in the same
way; and one man has as good reason to
affirm, that a few, in calling for a military
force under pretence of supporting civil au¬
thority, secretly intended to introduce a
general massacre, as another has to assert,
that a number of loyal subjects, by calling
upon one another to provided with arms,
according to law , intended to bring on an
insurrection.
It will be equally difficult to prove it
illegal, for a number of British subjects, to
invite as many of their fellow subjects as
they please, to convene and consult to¬
gether, on the most prudent and constitu¬
tional measures for the redress of their
grievances; or that such an assembly had
actually assumed the powers of government,
when they actually disclaimed all such powers,
and united in recognizing their subjection
to Government, by humble petitions & re¬
monstrances, and by encouraging their fellow
subjects in their loyalty, and good order.
But the people of Boston are charg’d with
“ ingratitude for the repeal of the Stamp-
Act! and because some refus’d to make
compensation to the sufferers in behalf of
that act , and others did it with an ill grace!”
What artful confusion is here to make a
single town odious ? were the people of Bos¬
ton, ever apply’d to for a compensation?
did not the requisition come to the General
Assembly; in which there were only four
members for Boston? Did not these mem¬
bers unite with the General Assembly in
granting ample compensation? Was not this
a free generous act? Could any power on
earth constitutionally oblige the province or
the town to pay the damages done by un¬
known rioters ? Has the Parliament done this
in the late riots in England? Did Rhode-
Island make compensation, tho’ call’d upon
as this province was? Are Howard and
Moffatt, compensated to this day by that
colony? What has it suffered for its refusal?
It has been complimented for its loyalty and
good order in one of Lord H — sb — h’s circu¬
lar letters, with a view to induce it to treat
with contempt this province, which had
compensated ? But Rhode-Island had sense
and virtue to despise the ridiculous lure, and
generosity not to withdraw its aid from the
common cause. — Without saying anything
more upon this point, we may venture to
appeal to the candid world, where the
ingratitude lies:
As to the repeal of the Stamp-Act, though
the people of this province and America
universally regarded this act as an infraction
of their constitutional rights, and conse¬
quently humbly claim’d the repeal as a
point of equity, they yet received it with as
much gratitude as if it had been a free gift.
They blessed their Sovereign — They rever’d
the wisdom and goodness of the British
Parliament — They felt themselves -happy,
till new acts equally unconstitutional were
made, and severities imposed upon trade,
unknown even at the time of the Stamp-
Act. — But it seems we are unpardonable for
62
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
not being thankful for the removal of one
burthen, after another is laid upon us by the
same hands, equally hard to bear! How
contemptible is such reasoning! What an
affront to common sense! We never heard
of such discourse in Parliament, till we saw
our Court Paper ; and can these persons be
friends to the leading men in Government,
who represent them as reasoning in such a
manner ? —
But force is no very suitable means of
changing the sentiments of the people! It is
rather adapted to rivet and confirm them.
Arms ought to be very cautiously employed,
even against faction, they have often in¬
creased rather than quelled. — The present
uneasiness in America, has been falsly and
insolently called by this odious name: Can
any man suppose, the almost universal com¬
plaints of a people, to deserve this appella¬
tion? As well might the general uneasiness
that introduced the revolution by William
the Third, and that settled the succession
in the illustrious House of Hanover, be
called a faction:
February 7
The Court Gazette before referred to,
gives us an account of what was said in
Parliament in vindication of the measures
of the Ministry, respecting the colonies, and
this province in particular, that deserves to
be attended to. With respect to the non
presentation of the petition of the Massa¬
chusetts House to the King, the intelli¬
gencer says, it was declared the petition had
never been given to the S — y of State. —
This is not true, it is an undoubted fact,
that the petition was offered by Mr. Deberdt
to L — d H — sb — gh as he has declared in a
letter to the Speaker, so that this could not
be the reason why it was not presented, in
gross violation of the constitutional right of
the subject. And here we suspect that the
S — y was led into a scrape by his judicious
friend, on this side the water, who formed
a plan for the non presentation, such as
might be expected, which was not solid
enough to bear mentioning in Parliament
and so the whole vindication was rested on
the denial that it had been ever given to the
S — y. As to the order to require the As¬
sembly to rescind, that it was said was
“ only to give the Assembly an opportunity
to correct a fault of a former Assembly; and
the order to dissolve was a direction for the
Governor’s conduct in case of non-compli¬
ance; neither of them being addressed to the
Assembly , could be deemed a mandate or a
threat to a corporation; the Assembly would
of course meet again in May,” according to
this account the S — y, never designed to
threaten a corporation; no it was his inten¬
tion to leave the Assembly freely and with¬
out any manner of constraint and bias to
correct the error of a former one: The orders
not being addressed to the Assembly, it
seems were not designed to be shewn to the
Assembly, or to have any influence on their
decisions; so that either G — r B — d grossly
mistakes the intention of L — d H — sb — gh,
and rashly exceeded it, in a point of the
greatest consequence; or this is a quibbling
falacious excuse of his L — p’s conduct, said
by the authority of our Court Gazette, to
have been offered in Parliament. For did
not G — r B — d lay before the house, L — d
H — sb — gh’s letters wherein he was directed
to dissolve the Assembly , in case of their
non-rescinding? Had not this letter thus
communicated, all the effect upon the de¬
liberations of the house, on this point, as if
it had been formally addressed to them? Did
not G— r B — d declare that he looked upon
himself indispensibly obliged to comply with
the order in this letter? did he not refuse a
recess to the house, which they requested in
order to consult their constituents , upon so
important a point? Nay when the house
took only a few days , to deliberate upon this
critical affair, did not the G — r express his
impatience by a message, requiring them to
come to an immediate determination, as
otherwise he should take their hesitation as a
positive refusal? Did he not according to the
order dissolve the Assembly , and at the same
time declare himself not at liberty to call
another, without fresh instructions from the
Ministry? As to the Assembly, meeting of
course in May, it is an artful evasion. The
Assembly cannot meet then without writs
being issued from the G — r, for that purpose.
It is true the charter provides for the meeting
of the Assembly at that time; but people
were made to believe that non rescinding
would annihilate the charter, and that there
never would be another Assembly. It is
certain that G. B. and others, spake upon
this point in a manner that directly tended
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
63
to create such an apprehension both among
the Assembly and the people.
February 8
The military still continue their extrava¬
gances: About six officers coming thro’
King-street, some nights past, were hailed
by the town house watch; this it seems was
taken as such an affront, that no language
was bad enough for the watchmen; they
even formed a sort of a blockade to the
watch-house, which was continued for about
three hours; but having learned caution by
the misfortune of one of their corps, not
long since, they neither of them chose to
come within the reach of the watchmen’s
bill-hooks. — As several others were passing
the streets one evening, they were heard to
express their wishes that the town might be
burnt down; and cast very abusive reflec¬
tions on the Select men, threatening, to give
them all a severe whipping, before three
months had expired. — This evening as a
sober inhabitant was returning home with
his wife, they were overtaken by several
officers of the navy; who accosted ’em in a
very indecent manner, and swore that the
woman should go on board the man of war,
upon her expostulating with them for this
rudeness in the presence of her husband;
they d — n’d him, and swore she should go
on board with them; one of them laid hold
of the husband while another was pulling
the wife along with him; her screams, soon
brought up a gentleman, who having a
lanthorn with him presently discovered one
of the criminals to be a L — t of a King’s
ship, and we hear the injured party intends
^prosecuting him, for this audacious attempt.
February 9
One of our coasting shallops, which lay at
Hubbard’s wharf the last week, was ex¬
amined by one of our new sea custom-house
officers; he happened to find a small quantity
of bad fish on board, the vessel not having
been entered out, and he informed the
skipper of this discovery, in such a manner,
as caused him immediately to put out of
harbour with his vessel, for fear of a seizure.
— Other skippers bound to different parts
of the province, have had their vessels stopt,
and even libelled for having things on board
not cleared out, this has given such alarm
that even the skippers of open boats do not
care to take so much as a loaf or two of
sugar on board, until it has been reported,
and as this cannot be done without the
sugar boilers making oath respecting the
sugar, the trouble given the masters and
freighters in this, and innumerable like cases
is inexpressible; the detention of coasters by
means of the novel formalities, is very detri¬
mental to the owners, and vexatious to
those, who depend upon receiving their
family supplies by water. In short almost
every step taken since the arrival of the
C — m — rs, appears to have a direct tendency
to embarrass, if not totally to annihilate the
trade of the province.
February 101
Letters from Georgia, dated the 28th
December last, give us to understand; that
the Assembly of that province, have fully
harmonized with the Assemblies of their
sister colonies, by asserting their constitu¬
tional rights in a number of spirited resolves,
and in petitioning their gracious sovereign
for a redress of American grievances, as also
in the respectful notice they have taken of
the Virginia and Massachusetts Circular
Letters. The patriotick conduct of this
Assembly, does them the more honour, as
their Governor, has been pleased to tell the
world, that more than ordinary pains had
been taken, to prevent their receiving and
shewing countenance and support to the
Boston letter , and that notwithstanding this,
they had suffered themselves to be influ¬
enced by the conduct of other provinces,
and thereby deliberately laid him under the
necessity of dissolving the Assembly: Those
members who have thus dared to maintain
the constitutional rights of their constitu-
tents, tho’ threaten’d with political death,
by the mandate of a M — r, have justly
merited the grateful acknowledgments of
every American; and that their names
should live for ever, in the annals of their
country. — Governor Wright’s speech upon
this occasion may lead us to imagine that he
1 Items for February 10 to February 19, 1769, inclusive, are from the Boston Evening Post , April 10, 1769,
pp. 1-2.
64
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
would not have L — d H — h conclude that
G — r B — d, is the only governor upon the
continent, who could reason with propriety ,
upon the justice and policy of American
measures, but the good gentleman ought to
be borne with, as his speech is quite dis¬
passionate, and does not, like some others,
discover the basest ingratitude and the most
inveterate enmity against the people of his
government, or that he was vain enough to
fancy himself capable of forming the meas¬
ures of Administration.
February 11
The summoning of new witnesses, re¬
specting the libels against Mr. Hancock still
continues. A clerk of that gentleman, was
this day, brought to Judge Auchmuty’s
chamber, and closely examined; when this
trial will end we know not; as long as it
continues, we shall notice their procedure,
that the friends of liberty, on the other side
of the water, may be able to form some idea
of an American Court of Admiralty.
February 12
The prevalency of vice and profaneness,
the robberies, thieving, house-breaking, &c.
which have been committed since a certain
set of men were sent among us, as we have
been told by L — d H — h to assist the civil
magistrate, must greatly affect every mem¬
ber of the community, who views those
licentious proceedings, either in a moral or
political light: The faithful magistrate at
such a day, has it in his power to testify his
regard to the honor of the Supreme Law¬
giver, and his love to his country, in his
endeavours to discountenance and suppress
them: Those who have exerted themselves
herein, have justly merited the applause,
and esteem, of the wise and virtuous; and
when any one instance comes to our knowl¬
edge of the late appointed justices, having
acted up to the true character of reforming
magistrates; we shall with pleasure record
the same in this Journal.
February 13
We have had more of winter since Feb.
set in, than in all of the preceeding months;
the ice having opened new passages out of
town for the soldiery, desertions are more
numerous than ever; notwithstanding all
the care the officers, and vigilance of the
military guards, which almost surround the
town: the practice of sending out sergeant’s
parties in disguise, still continues, but we
do not hear of any one deserter being brought
back, excepting poor Ames, whose execution
is thought to have been as impolitick as it
was illegal; it deters those country people
from making discoveries, which the pros¬
pect of a reward might tempt them to do, as
they now apprehend, that this cannot be
done without involving themselves in the
guilt of blood — We wish those statesmen,
on the other side of the water, who were in
the measures of sending troops, could but
look into Boston, and see the present state
of the regiments quartered among us; if all
upon the British and Irish establishments
were now in America, and were no fuller
than the former, it has been conjectured,
that the number of British troops would not,
in such case, exceed twenty thousand effec¬
tive men. What policy must have been )
adopted by the British M — y! The sure
hold, Britains once had of Americans, by
having their affections , has been wantonly
thrown away, for the precarious one, which i
a body of troops can only obtain; a few regi- )
ments placed in Boston neither of whicli
can be trusted without the walls, lest the
greater part should disappear, or kept to¬
gether within them, even by a discipline
hitherto exercised only in an enemy’s coun¬
try, is the goodly power which has been
thought sufficient to keep a whole continent
in subjection. It was certainly a shrewd
conjecture made by one in the House of
C — ns, upon the first news of the troops
being peaceably landed in Boston, that we
should now be better acquainted with our¬
selves and with them.
February 14
In the papers bro’t us by the last post, we
have seen with pleasure, the petition of the
Pennsylvania Assembly, to his Majesty and
both houses of Parliament, in which that
Assembly fully concur with those of the
other colonies in asserting with great de¬
cency and loyalty, and a manly firmness,
the natural and constitutional rights of Amer¬
icans, not to be taxed, but by a representa¬
tion of their own; a right, essential to a
British subject, and inseparable from the
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
65
idea of a free government. It is now evident
beyond a doubt, that one sentiment upon the
grand point, runs thro’ all the colonies , not
excepting the infant settlement of Georgia,
which tho’ it must be supposed under par¬
ticular discouragements from asserting this
right, has yet dared to do it.
This union is the safety of colonies, and a
pleasing omen in favour of the great Ameri¬
can cause, which patience and a persevering
firmness, must at length bring to an happy
issue, both to the parent country and the
colonies. It is certain that the right of taxa¬
tion is the cause of the present controversy
between them; and the colonies not con¬
ceding this right to the British Parliament,
is what has alarmed and offended Admin¬
istration: An union among the colonies in
this point, is what they principally dreaded,
l_jmd endeavoured to avoid — Hence the im-
politick dissolutions & prorogations of the
colony assemblies, adopted rather to con¬
firm than change the sentiments of the
people; the liberal spirit of the Massachu¬
setts Assembly, and particularly the Circular
Letter, were considered as strongly leading
to such a union. — The warm attachment of
the citizens of Boston to the rights of Amer¬
ica^ and the patriotick conduct of their
representatives were looked upon, as having
no small influence upon the Assembly ; this
is the true source of that high displeasure,
expressed by the Secretary of State, for the
American Department; and by other lead¬
ing men at home, against the Massachusetts
Assembly, and particularly the town of
Boston. Hence the misrepresentations, and
aggravated accounts of disorders here, trans¬
mitted to Administration, and too easily
credited, to form a pretence for treating this
town with particular severity, and for plac¬
ing so large a body of troops in its very
bowels; from an absurd opinion that if the
spirit of liberty was once thoroughly quelled
in this capital , it must not only be extin¬
guished through the province , but in all the
colonies. Vain imagination! One spirit ani¬
mates all America; and both the justice and
importance of the cause is so plain, that to
quench the spirit, all the colonies must be
absolutely destroyed. What has contributed
to distinguish this province, is the residence
of the Commissioners among us — and the
uncommon exertions of G. B. & others in
favour of power, and to promote the most
disagreeable measures of Administration;
exertions that have however been so ill
directed , that they have happily embarrassed
rather than promoted the intended plan— ,
Being pushed first , and more violently than
our neighbours, we were early and vigorous
in the opposition, and do not therefore
arrogate upon this account, any undue
merit to ourselves — We rejoice to see the
colonies in the great point of right, com¬
pletely united. Severe measures towards
any one , or on the whole, must tend to
confirm the union. The tighter the cord of
unconstitutional power is drawn round this
bundle of arrows, the firmer it will be; and
the hand that can forceably break it , in such
a cause must be strong enough to break the
pillars of the British constitution, and over¬
turn the whole nation.
February 15
The coasting vessel which we have before
told had been seized by a guarda coasta for
having a barrel of wine in the run, which
had not been cleared out; has been since
libelled and condemned , at a Court of Ad¬
miralty, together with some New-England
tobacco, which was found on board upon
unloading her: — It is proper to observe, that
the only pretence for stopping this vessel was
the cask of wine , but the cause of the con¬
demnation was the tobacco found on board:
we must therefore leave it to the world to
judge whether this, or like circumstances
can justify the conduct of those captains
of our guarda coastas, who upon most
frivilous & slight pretences, shall take upon
themselves to expose the owners & freighters
of coasting vessels to the charge and damage
of having their vessels detained and un¬
loaded, in order to search and rummage out
a pretence for their condemnation.
February 16
A concert hall is again opened to all who
have, or may commence subscribers to such
musical entertainments. We are told proper
concessions have been made Mr. D — bl — s,
and that G — P — y, has engaged that the
o— ff — rs of his core, shall for the future
behave with decency, and agreeable to the
regulations of such assemblies.
66
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
February 17
There has been within these few days a
great many severe whippings; among the
number chastised, was one of the negro
drummers, who received 100 lashes, in part
of 150, he was sentenced to receive at a
Court Martial; — It is said this fellow had
adventur’d to beat time at a concert of
music, given at the Manufactory-House.
A Court of Admiralty held yesterday,
when the witnesses brought by Mr. Han¬
cock, relative to the libels, entered against
him on account of the Madeira vessel, were
examined: — The court then adjourned to
Tuesday next.
February 18
One H — lately T — e W — r, was sent for
by the Com — rs and closely examined by
them, in hopes of finding out some matter
which might support the libels against Mr.
Hancock: — It is said one B — followed the
said person from the C — m — rs chamber,
and hinted to him, that if he would bring
out any thing to purpose against Mr.
Hancock, he might be again restored to his
place, and otherwise find it to his advantage.
February 19
To condemn a person before he is ac¬
quainted with the charge laid against him,
and allowed to answer for himself, is plainly
repugnant to the principles of equity: But
it is certainly an higher act of injustice to
treat a community in this manner: None
doubts that heavy charges against the town
of Boston have been laid before Administra¬
tion, which must affect the interest of the
whole province , and remotely of all the colo¬
nies , in their present critical situation. —
What has been alledged against the town
we know not , nor consequently in what
manner we are to make our defence: It
seems but just that the servants of the
crown here, from whom an account of
things is expected, should communicate to
the people such representations of facts as
may be supposed to operate against them
with the Government at home, that so they
may have an opportunity of vindicating
themselves , as far as they can, before they
feel its displeasure. Instead of this, these
accounts are concealed with great care; and
the first intimation the people have of them,
is by their effects , who are left to guess at
them, by the influence they have actually
had upon governmental measures. — This
has certainly been the case with the town of
Boston; to the astonishment of all who are
acquainted with its transactions; it has been
represented as in a state subversive of all law
and government , when not one instance can
be produced, of the interruption of justice,
in any of our courts, not so much as those
held by only a single magistrate, nor even in
the Courts of Admiralty ; and the duties ex¬
acted by the laws of trade, have been paid ,
at least as punctually as ever they were. —
The town has an undoubted right , and has
been solicitous to know, the particular facts ,
upon which this general and heavy charge
has been founded; accordingly the Selectmen
from a tender regard to the welfare of the
inhabitants, have waited upon the Governor
last Friday, with the following address.
May it please your Excellency ,
At a time, when artful and mischievous men
have so far prevailed, as to foment and
spread divisions in the British Empire:
When mutual confidence, which had so long
subsisted, with mutual advantage between
the subjects in Britain and America, is in a
great measure broken: When means are at
length found, even to excite the resentment
of the mother state against her colonies; and
they are publickly charged with being in a
state of disobedience to law, and ready to
resist the constitutional authority of the
nation: The Selectmen of this metropolis,
cannot be the unconcerned or silent spec¬
tators of the calamities which in consequence
thereof have already fallen upon its in¬
habitants.
To behold this town surrounded with
ships of war and military troops even in a
time of peace, quartered in its very bowels;
exercising a discipline, with all the severity
which is used in a garrison, and in a state of
actual war, is truly alarming to a free people.
And what still heightens the misfortune is,
that our gracious Sovereign and his min¬
isters have formed such an idea of the
present state of the town, as to induce a
necessity of this naval and military force,
for the aid of the civil magistrate in the
preservation of its peace and good order.
Your Excellency can witness for the town,
that no such aid is necessary: Loyalty to
the sovereign, and an inflexible zeal for the
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 67
support of his Majesty’s authority, and the
happy constitution, is its just character:
And we may appeal to the impartial world,
that peace and order were better maintained
in the town before it was even rumoured
that his Majesty’s troops were to be quar¬
tered among us than they have been since.
Such a measure then we are persuaded,
would never have been ordered by the wis¬
dom of the British administration, had not
the necessity of it been drawn from the
representations of some of his Majesty’s
servants in this province.
Your Excellency will allow us to express
our opinion, that the public transactions of
the town, and the behaviour of some of its
individual inhabitants have been greatly
misapprehended by his Majesty’s Ministers.
We therefore in duty to the town we have
the honor to serve, respectfully wait on
your Excellency, and pray that you would
be pleased to communicate to us such
representations of facts only as you have
judged proper to make since the commence¬
ment of the last year. And as there is a
prevailing report, that depositions are and
have been taken ex parte , to the prejudice of
the town and particular persons, may we
not assure ourselves that your Excellency
will in justice cause to be laid before us such
other representations as may have come to
your knowledge, that the town knowing
clearly and precisely what has been alledged
against it, may have an opportunity of
vindicating itself.
Attest , William Cooper, Town Clerk.
February 2F
A Court of Admiralty, for the trial of the
libels entered against Mr. Hancock, for
treble damages sat this day, being the time
assigned by the judge, for hearing the argu¬
ments on the cause, the witnesses brought by
the defendant having been examined last
Thursday. It was expected that this trial,
which has been as lengthy and vexatious as
it is new and unprecedented, would now have
been finished; but to the astonishment of
the publick, and as it is said, even to the
judge himself, the Com — rs acquainted the
court, that they had other witnesses, to be
interrogated; accordingly a master of a
vessel owned by Mr. Hancock, his wharfinger,
and one or two others attended by summons,
were examined, and the judge has allowed
the C — m — rs the whole of this week to
produce their other witnesses. It is con¬
jectured, that the C — m — rs are appre¬
hensive, that the evidence given into court
by the defendant is fully sufficient to in¬
validate or set aside the testimonies of those
persons they had brought on the part of the
crown; which has prompted them to ask a
further time for them and their emissaries
to hunt up other evidence. — When this trial
will end, we cannot say; perhaps not before
every townsman has been summoned, and
given in their testimony; and if the C — m —
rs should be still unlucky, they may con¬
tinue the trial, until every seaman that has
sailed out of this port shall be return’d and
examined. — We shall omit making reflec¬
tions on the treatment that Mr. Hancock
has met with: Those who have the least
spark of humanity cannot but feel for him.
0 Britons! turn your eyes upon poor Amer¬
ica, and you may behold a J — e of A — y,
appointed only during pleasure , whose
salary of £600 per annum is to be paid out
of fines and forfeitures , and whose continu¬
ance in office must depend upon the repre¬
sentations of such a set of men as constitutes
the American B — d of C — s — ms!
February 22
Some lines in verse appeared in Messrs.
Edes and Gill’s Gazette of last Monday,
being a few lively remarks on a song handed
about in manuscript, in which the characters
of some young ladies in town, were treated
with great indelicacy; the same day one
L — t S — , of the 14th Regiment, came with
another officer to the printers, and pretend¬
ing that he was some how pointed out
therein, as the person who had satyrized
those ladies, and demanded the author’s
name; which was not given him; he returned
the next morning and claimed a promise of
one of the printers that he should have it. —
The printer then told him, that he should
not comply with his demand, as it would be
an infringement of the liberty of the press,
1 Items from February 21 to February 25, 1769, inclusive, are from the Boston Evening Post, April 17, 1769.
pp. 1-2.
68
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
which should be as free for him as for any
other.— Or that if he still thought himself
injur’d, the law was open, and he might seek
his redress, upon which he uttered many
threatenings, and swore that he would come
the next morning, and if satisfaction was not
then given him he would take it himself, of
the printer; he accordingly kept to his
romise in the first particular, but prudently
roke it in the second; otherwise he would
soon have been convinced, that there were
some persons among us, who could as well
defend the liberty of the press, as they had
before maintained the rules and orders of a
coffee-house.
February 23
A number of coasters with grain and
other provisions, arrived from the Vineyard,
have had two custom-house officers put on
board them, to inspect their unlading;
another novel practice introduced by the
C — m — rs. The master of a vessel which
had been froze up at the Vineyard for some
time, finding his cargo of corn almost
spoiled, adventured to dispose of some of it
to the inhabitants, who were in want; for
this offence his vessel was seized on her
arrival here.
A small boat from Braintree a town in our
harbour ; but a few miles from Boston, com¬
ing up here as usual, with candles and oil
from the spermaceti works, was stopt by a
guarda costa, when an officer came on board,
and demanded the clearance, letters and in¬
voice; the boatman answered that he had no
clearance, &c. the officer then told him that
he must seize the vessel, and he accordingly
put an officer on board, with strict direc¬
tions not to let them unload; but not think¬
ing one man sufficient for the weighty charge
of guarding the boat, he returned with another
hand, with swords drawn, and pistols loaded,
and gave orders that they should defend
themselves and the vessel and cargo, and not
suffer any thing to be taken out, till further
orders. We are told that upon application
made to the Com — rs by the owner, the
Hon. Thomas Flucker, Esq; they have
ordered the officer of the guarda costa to
take off his men and release the boat.
February 24
This day came on in the Court of Ad¬
miralty an argument, upon a question which
serves to show the strange uncertainty to
which this unhappy country is reduced by
the modern code of revenue laws. — The advo¬
cates for Mr. Hancock, offered evidence to
prove that a witness, who had been before
examined for the proponent, was a fugitive
from his native country, to avoid the punish¬
ment due to a very heinous crime. — The ad¬
vocates for the crown objected to this evi¬
dence as improper, urging that by common
law, nothing could be proved against a
witness, but his general character for false¬
hood. The advocates for the respondent,
replied, that the Court of Admiralty pro¬
ceed according to the civil law, whereby a
witnesses whole life and conversation ought
to be examined. — And they insisted upon
knowing by what law their client was to be
tried. The Stat. 4 G. 3 gives jurisdiction of
a crime to Courts of Admiralty in America:
If therefore the court is to adopt the com¬
mon law, because the jurisdiction was
created by act of Parliament; it ought to
adopt it as a system, and summon a jury
accordingly, to try the facts , especially as a
trial by jury is not expressly taken away, and
in general to conform to all the other rules
of the common law, thro’ the whole trial.
But if the court is to proceed by the civil
law, the respondent ought to have the ad¬
vantage of all the beneficial rules of that
law, particularly to examine into the whole
life and conversation of the witnesses, to
except peremptorily to all persons, who are
related to him, within the degrees men¬
tioned in the civil law, and to all persons
under 20 years of age, and finally to be
convicted only on the testimony of two
unexceptionable witnesses. — Or will it be
said Americans are to be tried by an hotch¬
potch mixture of common law, and civil
law! If so, who is to determine? Does it lie
wholly in the discretion of the judge to pick
and choose out of each such rules as please
him? If this is to be the case, we must be
allowed to be in a very precarious situation
indeed. Misera servitus est.
February 25
The Selectmen received from Governor
Bernard last Saturday evening, the follow¬
ing reply to the address presented to him
last Friday noon.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
69
Gentlemen ,
The propriety of your addressing me upon
public business I shall not now dispute; but
in my answer I shall confine myself to such
part of your address as relate to you as the
Selectmen, or to the town as a body. I
have no reason to think that the public
transactions of the town have been mis¬
apprehended by his Majesty or his ministers,
or that their opinions therein are founded
upon any other accounts than those pub¬
lished by the town itself.
If therefore you can vindicate yourselves
from such charges as may arise from your
own publications, you will in my opinion
have nothing further to apprehend.
FRA. BERNARD.
Province-House , Feb. 18 , 1769.
It is evident at first view, that in this
reply, the Governor evades an answer to
the proper and decent request of the Select¬
men; which could not mean, as he would
insinuate, that he should inform them what
were the public acts of the town meeting;
but how facts have been stated , and what
depositions or testimonies have been given,
relative to the behaviour of the inhabitants,
out of town meetings, and considered as
individuals, that might lead Administration
to think they were in a state of opposition to
all law and government , when no instance can
be brought, in which the cource of justice
has been violently interrupted, in any court ,
not before even a single magistrate; and when
the Council have published their testimony,
the most authentic one that could be, that
the town was far from being in such a state,
and that the civil authority did by no means
want the aid of a military power. The town
knows not in what manner facts have been
stated, to convey so unjust and injurious an
idea of it, as has certainly been entertained;
and consequently, is at a loss how to pro¬
ceed in its own defence: No one can suppose
the Governor to be ignorant of the state of
facts transmitted to Administration; and
certainly candour and common justice
would have led him to communicate this to
the town, in order to its own vindication.
Instead of this, the application of the Select¬
men upon so important an occasion is in¬
sinuated to be impertinent.
With respect to testimonies and deposi¬
tions taken exparte against the town and
particular persons , and industriously con¬
cealed from them. Had the Governor not
known or not believ'd the truth of this, he
had here so fair an occasion of declaring it,
and such a declaration would have been so
much to his own honour , as well as the satis¬
faction of the town, that we cannot suppose
he would have omitted it: His silence there¬
fore upon this head, and studied evasion of
so important a request, must confirm the
general apprehension, and be considered as
a new proof, that such kind of evidence has
actually been taken. The world will from
hence judge what kind of treatment the
town of Boston has received.
The Governor in his reply, has, however,
publickly declared his opinion, that the
town has nothing to apprehend from any
part of his conduct, except its public acts in
town meeting. Here is then a testimony in
favour of the town , a testimony that no man
can object to, that the disorders that hap¬
pened on the 18th of March and 10th of
June, which have been so greatly magnified,
and of which such use has been made for
the worst of purposes, cannot, or ought not
in his opinion , to affect the interest of the
town, for he says, if the town can vindicate
its own publications; that is its own acts , which
are all that it has published, it has nothing
further to apprehend — Whether his Excel¬
lency, really intended so far to vindicate the
town of Boston, I pretend not to say, but am
glad to find, such is the force of truth , that
he has actually done it in this public manner.
The town has never yet been convinced
that any of its public acts were illegal , it
indeed has been said in general of their
illegality by some persons, but no one has
undertaken to shew what laws they have
infringed. — The Selectmen, with the decent
boldness of conscious innocence, have re¬
quested the Governor to do the town this
favour , but he has declined it; which will
appear from their second address, and his
reply: which are as follows,
May it please your Excellency ,
The Selectmen of the town of Boston, beg
leave once more to wait on your Excellency,
hoping you will excuse this further trouble
as it is upon a matter of the greatest im¬
portance to the town.
In your answer to our late humble request.
70 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
your Excellency was pleased to say, that
“you have no reason to think that the public
transactions of this town have been mis¬
apprehended by his Majesty or his ministers;
or that their opinions thereon are founded
upon any other accounts than those pub¬
lished by the town itself.” And “that if we
can vindicate ourselves from such charges
as may arise from our own publications, we
shall in your opinion have nothing further
to apprehend.”
As the town has published nothing but its
own transactions, in town meeting legally
assembled; it gives us the greatest pleasure
to find your Excellency, in your reply to us,
thus vindicating it from any just cause of
apprehension, from the general character
of its inhabitants, considered as individuals:
If therefore the town has suffered, on ac¬
count of the disorders which happen’d on
the 18th March or the 10th June last, by
persons unknown (the only disorders that
have taken place in this town within the
year past) we take your Excellency’s declara¬
tion to us, to be a full testimony, that in
your opinion, it must be in consequence of
some partial or false representation of those
disorders to his Majesty’s ministers. And
we rejoice to find your Excellency’s senti¬
ments, as expressed in your reply, so far
harmonizing with those of his Majesty’s
Council not long ago published. We have
in this case, the most authentic evidence
that can possibly be had, the joint testimony
of the Governor and Council of the province,
that the town has not been in a state of
opposition to order and government , and such
as required a military force to support civil
authority.
With regard to the public transactions of
the town, when legally assembled, from
which alone in your Excellency’s declared
opinion, the town could have any thing to
apprehend, we beg leave to say: That after
the most careful retrospect, and the best
inquiry we could make, into the nature and
import of those transactions, we are utterly
at a loss, in what view they can appear to
have militated with any law, or the British
constitution of government. And we en¬
treat your Excellency would condescend, to
point out to us, in what particular respect,
they either have been, or may be viewed
in such a light; that either the town may be
made sensible of the illegality of its pro¬
ceedings, or, that upon the most critical
examination, its innocence may appear in
a still clearer light.
Your Excellency’s high station in the
province and the regard you have professed
for the interest of the town, we humbly
apprehend, must give propriety to this, as
well as our former address.
Attest , WILLIAM COOPER, Town Clerk.
The Governor's Answer ,
As in my answer to your former address I
confined myself to you as Selectmen and
the town as a body, I did not mean to refer
to the disorders on the 18th of March or of
the 10th of June, but to the transactions of
the town meetings, and the proceedings of
the Selectmen in consequence thereof.
FRA. BERNARD
Feb. 24, 1769
February 26l
This reply ( See the Governor s reply to the
second address of the Selectmen, in our last
Supplement .)2 is either wholly unintelligible,
or a flat contradiction to the former one.
The Governor in that, had publickly de¬
clar’d that in his opinion, the town had
nothing to apprehend but from its own
public acts, and the conduct of the Select¬
men in their publications. If any thing may
be gather’d from this last reply, it is, that he
did not mean to say, the town had nothing
to apprehend from some other transactions. —
But whatever he meant, this he certainly
did say. — It is not easy to know, what the
Governor means by confining himself in his
reply, to the town as a body, and to the
Selectmen: Is not the town interested in
every representation, of the conduct of its
inhabitants that must greatly affect its
welfare? Has it not already suffered, and
greatly too, by a representation of the trans¬
actions in March and June last, that must
from its effects, have been essentially differ-
1 Items from February 26 to March 3, 1769, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , Supplement , April 6,
1769, p. 1.
2 This comment by the newspaper editor is omitted from the Journal as reprinted elsewhere.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
71
ent from that publish’d by his Majesty’s
Council. — And is it not like to be still
farther injur’d by depositions and testi¬
monies, taken in the most conceal’d manner?
It must however, sooner or later, find a sure
redress of these wrongs, in the justice of our
gracious sovereign, and the British Parlia¬
ment.
February 27
Our former predictions of what would be
the unhappy effects of quartering troops in
this town, have been too fully verified: They
are now most wretchedly debauched, and
their licentiousness daily increasing; a par¬
ticular enumeration of instances thereof,
would be as tedious, as it is painful. — Two
women the other evening, to avoid the
solicitations and insults of a soldier, took
refuge in a house, at the south end of the
town; the soldier was so audacious, as to
enter with them: The cries of distress,
brought the master of the family into the
entry with a candle; and before he could
know the occasion of the noise, he received,
a stroke from the soldier with his cutlass,
which brought him to the ground, where he
lay senseless for some time, and suffered the
loss of a quart of his blood. — Another woman
not happening to please some soldiers, re¬
ceived a considerable wound on her head
with a cutlass; and a 3rd. woman presuming
to scream, when laid hold of by a soldier,
had a bayonet run through her cheek: A
number of persons passing the north watch
house, were hailed by the centry; on their
refusing to answer, the watchmen went out,
when they perceived three officers with
drawn swords, who with bad language
grossly insulted them. — Two other officers
passing by the dock-watch, being hailed
were so very profane and abusive in their
language, that the watchmen went out to
them, when one of those officers drew his
sword, and swore he would run the man
through that should come near; they soon
came to blows, by one of which the spear of
a watchman’s pole was broken, however the
officers soon fled, and the watchmen could
not overtake them, neither have they been
able to make a discovery who were the
assailants. But a still more extraordinary
insult upon the citizens, was made the other
night: It seems that it was wrongly appre¬
hended, that an officer’s dog had been shot
by one Mr. Hemmingway, living near
Winisimmit Ferry: To revenge the death of
this animal, upon the supposed murderer,
Lieutenant M — t of the 14th. Regiment,
with a number of armed soldiers, entered
Hemmingway’s house, which they searched
and ransacked, threatning to be the death
of any man they should find there, to the
no small terror and distress of the women
and children of the family: Those offenders
have been apprehended, and taken before
Richard Dana, and John Ruddock, Esqrs.
two of his Majesty’s justices of peace, and
have by them, been bound over to the Court
of Assize, to be held next month, then to
answer to the charges which shall be brought
against them — But notwithstanding those
offenders were thus dealt with! It did not
deter some soldiers the next, and several
succeeding nights, from insulting said house
with stones and brick bats, firing off guns,
&c. thereby renewing the terror of those
belonging to the family, and greatly dis¬
turbing the whole neighbourhood.
February 28
We have advice from Halifax, that G — r
C — p — 11, having returned from Boston
without success, Mr. Frankland, their Lieu¬
tenant Governor, has sailed from thence for
England; and that the chief design of this
voyage at this season, is to make representa¬
tion to Government, of the distressing cir¬
cumstances of that province, occasioned by
the withdraw of the King’s troops, and ships
of war, and also personal application that
those ships and troops, may be replaced by
others, in order to prevent the settlers from
leaving that colony, and to secure the town
of Halifax, against any sudden surprise,
upon the breaking out of a new war, which
they are very apprehensive of.
March 1
N Messrs. Mein, and Flemming’s paper
of the 20th instant, there is this article.
“That the centinel stationed near Oli¬
ver’s dock, on the night of the 14th inst. saw
the men who its supposed broke into Mr.
Gray’s store, making the attempt; But his
orders being not to challenge any person
unless an attack was made upon himself or
on the house, at which he was stationed; like
a good soldier he acted agreeable to his
72
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
orders.” — The intent of inserting this, was
without doubt, to insinuate how useful our
military guards might be for the protection
of the town in the night, and the impro¬
priety of disputing their right of challenging
the inhabitants, which has occasioned its
being laid aside. It is but just however to
observe, that the centry mentioned above,
was actually taken off from the house at
Oliver’s dock, in the morning of said day,
and no one has been placed there since; and
that it is notorious that there has not lately
been a robbery or house-breaking in town,
in which some soldiers were not either the
principals or accomplices.
_ March 2
A Court of Admiralty relative to Mr.
Hancock’s libels, sat yesterday. — It is said
the judge has given his decree upon the
question mentioned, in our last Journal. —
And it is said that the purport of it is, that
considering the usage of the court, and the
inconveniences that would attend the in¬
troduction of the rules of civil law, in cases
of this nature, he decreed the question to be
withdrawn. — As to the usage of the court,
it might be observed, that there can be none
established because there never was such a
case in any Court of Admiralty, in the world;
nor in any other court , for it is confidently
affirmed that no prosecution for penalties
and treble damages, was ever known in
England even in the Exchequer ; the officers
there contenting themselves with the con¬
fiscating of ship and cargo if they can catch
them; which is no doubt the most natural
punishment of illegal importation — So that
it is not easy to comprehend, by what usage
this question is determined. As to the in~\
conveniencies; these have not been sufficient
to deter the court from introducing inter¬
rogatories ■, into such cases, which are un¬
known to the common law, and are odious
to Englishmen; from setting at one place
and another, at one time or another as
pleasure directs, or policy, or convenience
dictates, without any such regular adjourn-
ments , as in all courts of common law, are
necessary — from issuing compulsory cita¬
tions against witnesses — From ordering per¬
sons to be arrested and held to high bail to
answer before the court immediately , without
any number of days allowed as at common
law, to compromise the suit or prepare for
defence: in all these cases, the court has
adopted the rules of the civil law , in trials of
matters, the jurisdiction of which is given
it by act of Parliament. — Now where is the
criterion but in the judge's will , to distinguish
which rules of the civil law shall, and which
shall not be adopted by the court? — If the
inconveniencies have not been sufficient to
prevent witnesses from being examined upon
interrogatories , and the party from being
compelled to take the oath of calumny, as in
the case lately at S — Carolina; if a case
should happen that should require it, or if
the C — n — rs should give their mandate to
the court, supposing them hereafter to get a
judge fit for the purpose, why might he not
gently put parties or witnesses to the torture,
and extend them on the rack? Donee eorum
rumpuntur nervi, et venae in sanguinis
fluenta prorumpunt. It is reported that the
advocates for Mr. Hancock, had no solici¬
tude about the question they put to the
witness, but they thought that if the court
would proceed by such rules of the civil law,
as pleased the officers of revenue , they had a
right to such rules of the same law, as made
in favour of Mr. Hancock.
March 3
The last month was inserted in this
Journal, the votes and resolutions of the
Assembly of Georgia, which reflect much
honour on themselves and give great satis¬
faction to the friends of liberty; as they
hereby perceive the union of the colonies to
be complete; an event which must in a
short space of time be productive of the
happiest consequences. The speaker of the
late House of Representatives for this
province has just received the following
letter.
Georgia Commons House of Assembly Dec. 24,
1768.
SIR,
In obedience to the resolution of this
House, of which I inclose a copy, I have the
satisfaction to acquaint you, that this
House, truly sensible of the importance of
the matters contained in your letter to them
of the 11th of Feb. 1768. and of the motives
which induced your House to communicate
them by that letter, entirely approve of the
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 73
measures pursued by your House to obtain
redress of our common grievances and also
of the method by them taken to communicate
those measures to the other provinces on
the continent. Having thus fulfilled the
orders of the House, I shall only add that I
sincerely wish and hope our most gracious
sovereign, by equitably attending to the
united representations of his American
subjects, will remove every impediment to
that harmony and union which ought to,
and I trust ever will subsist, between our
mother country and the colonies.
Signed, M. JONES, Speaker.
March 4X
A gentleman from Swanzey, writes, —
Being a spectator, at the setting of the
Assembly at Providence, I had the oppor¬
tunity, of hearing the publick letters read, —
among others, one in particular excited my
curiosity; I therefore took it down in char¬
acters, from which I wrote the whole at
large, and having heard the same read a
second time, you may be assured the follow¬
ing is a correct copy: As it is of a pretty
extraordinary nature, you are requested to
insert it in your useful paper.
March 3d. 1769. Yours.
No. 11. Circular, Duplicate.
Whitehall, September 2d. 1768.
Gentlemen,
The King having observed that the
Governors of his colonies have upon several
occasions, taken upon them to communicate
to their Councils and Assemblies, either the
whole or parts of letters, which they have
received from his Majesty’s principal Secre¬
taries of State: I have it in command from
his Majesty, to signify to you, that it is his
Majesty’s pleasure, that you do not upon
any pretence whatever, communicate to the
Assembly, any copies or extracts of such
letters, as you shall receive from his Maj¬
esty’s principal Secretaries of State, unless
you have his Majesty’s particular directions
for so doing.
I am gentlemen, your most obedient,
humble servant,
HILLSBOROUGH
One cannot but observe, that this letter
intended for the direction of the Governor’s
conduct alone, and requiring him not to
communicate upon any pretence whatever,
to the Assemblies, copies or extracts of
letters from the Secretaries of State, without
special leave, is directed to the Governor &
Company. And it might perhaps have been
no disservice to Government, and no dis¬
honour to the Secretary for the American
Department, if some of his letters had been
totally and forever concealed . His letter to
G — r B — d requiring him to dissolve the
Assembly of the Massachusetts in case of
non-rescinding , had better have been kept
secret. — The Secretary was charged in Parlia¬
ment, with threatening a corporation in order
to command its decisions; even Mr. George
Grenville spake of this order, in the House of
Commons, as an unwarrantable stretch of
power. Had this letter never been com¬
municated to the Massachusetts House,
this charge on the Secretary of State, would
have been avoided, and much trouble
saved to himself, as well as to his friends , in
their attempt to vindicate it. They said it
was never designed to be communicated, and
was a direction only for the Governor s con¬
duct, being directed to him , and not to the
House. — But it was laid before the House ,
by the Governor, and so became a menace
in form to a free assembly, as full as if it had
been directed to them: Tho’ through the
virtue and never to be forgotten firmness of
the members, it had not the intended effect.
How far G. B. mistook or exceeded the inten¬
tion of the Secretary, I pretend not to say,
but leave this dark point to be settled be¬
tween themselves.
It is to be wish’d, that the letters from the
great officers at home were more carefully
attended to, and founded upon a more
accurate knowledge of the constitution of
the colonies, their true state & temper, and
the methods by which they might be made
most serviceable to the parent country. — We
have heard that L. H. gave orders to the
G — r of P — a, in case the Assembly of that
province did not act conformably to his
pleasure, immediately to dissolve them.
Whereas it is an inherent privilege of that
House, to sit on its own adjournments, and
not in the power of any Governor to dissolve
Governor & Company of the
Colony of Rhode-Island.
1 Items from March 4 to March 7, inclusive, are from the Boston Evening Post , May 1, 1769, p. 1.
_
74
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
them. — Such mistakes, and many others
of much greater importance, that have
taken place, shews the wisdom of the British
government, in granting originally to the
several colonies, a government among them¬
selves, founded upon its own happy model.
— A government, tho’ subordinate , yet
sacred and inviolable, and not to be con-
trouled in its grand principles. — For if the
colonies, are bound to make no laws repug¬
nant to those of Great-Britain, it is at least
equally reasonable that Great-Britain
should make none for the colonies, incon¬
sistent with their essential rights, as British
subjects, and repugnant to the spirit and
first principles of the British constitution.
March 5
Letters from South Carolina, mention,
That if the revenue acts ^ or the repeal whereof ,
this whole continent have earnestly and unan¬
imously petitioned , be not speedily repealed,
the generality of the people of that province,
will strictly adhere to several resolutions
they have lately entered into, for establish¬
ing oeconomy, incouraging provincial labour,
and keeping more money in the colonies;
amongst which, are the following. 1st. Not
to purchase or cause to be purchased, any
goods whatever imported from G. B. except
hard ware. 2d. To go heartily to work in
manufacturing their own, and Negroes
clothing. 3d. To avoid as much as possible,
the purchasing of new Negroes. 4th. To
give all possible encouragement to the im¬
portation of such goods (not prohibited) as
are manufactured in other of his Majesty’s
colonies. 5th. Totally to disuse all kinds of
mourning, &c.
We have also the pleasure of being advised
from Philadelphia, that their merchants
were about signing articles, not to import
any more English goods, and that there was
no doubt of their abiding by them. The
friends of .America on the other side the
water, having clearly pointed it out to them,
as a measure absolutely necessary to be
immediately taken, if they would hope for
a full redress of our present grievances.
March 6
The quartering troops upon British Amer¬
icans, in time of peace, is quite repugnant to
the Bill of Rights, and a measure that always
has been considered as an intolerable griev¬
ance, by a free people — Bold and daring
as the present M — rs have shewn them¬
selves, in the rapid inroads they have made
upon the British constitution; they have yet
modestly aimed at saving appearances, with
respect to the troops that have been cruelly
intruded upon this town. — A pretence has
been framed, that the aid of the military
was absolutely necessary to preserve order
in the town, and support the civil magistrate
in the execution of his duty; and the M — y
have declared to the world that they were
to act no otherwise than as their assistants.
This covering, which the M — y have en¬
deavoured to wrap themselves in, has
proved too scanty for the purpose; and the
cloven foot is visible to every American.
Preceding articles in this Journal, evince
what friends the military have proved to the
peace and order of the town, and the follow¬
ing relation, among others, will satisfy the
publick, what kind of support the civil
magistrate can reasonably expect from such
a quarter.
As some sailors were passing near Mr.
Justice Ruddock’s house, the other night,
with a woman in company, they were met
by a number of soldiers, one of whom, as
usual with those people, claimed the woman
for his wife; this soon bro’t on a battle in
which the sailors were much bruised, and a
young man of the town, who was only a
spectator, received a considerable wound on
his head; a great cry of murder, brought out
the justice, and his son, into the street;
when the former who is a gentleman of
spirit, immediately laid his hands upon two
of the assailants, and called out to one who
pretended to be an officer, and all other
persons present, requiring them in his
Majesty’s name to assist him as a magistrate,
in securing those rioters; instead of this, he
was presently surrounded with thirty or
forty soldiers, who had their bayonets in
their hands, notwithstanding the unseason¬
able time of night; some of whom endeav¬
oured to loose his hold of the persons he had
seized, but not being able to do it, they then
made at him with their fists and bayonets;
when he received such blows as obliged him
to seek his safety by flight; they struck down
a young woman at his door holding out a
candle, and followed him and son into the
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 75
entry-way of his house with their bayonets,
uttering the most profane & abusive lan¬
guage, and swearing they would be the death
of them both; upon the first assault given
to the magistrate, one of the persons present
posted away to the Town-House, and ac¬
quainted the commanding officer of the
picquet guard, of what was taking place;
but it seems that officer did not apprehend
himself at liberty to order a party out to
secure, or disperse those riotous drunken
soldiers. Due enquiry is making for the
discovery of those daring offenders, in order
to their being presented to the grand jury, a
bayonet wrested from one of the pursuers in
the entry, may lead to a knowledge of the
owner, and be a means of procuring proof. —
This magistrate who has before shewn him¬
self to be an enemy to every kind of riot and
disorder; has had many threats lately
thrown out against him, and suffered no
little insult and disquiet: The other evening!
a petty officer of one of the ships of war, !
who had knocked down a married woman
of this town, as she was quietly passing the
streets, was bro’t before him; and being
reproved for his indecent speech & behaviour,
on trial, he swore that he would run his
jack-knife thro’ the magistrates heart,
whereupon the justice committed him to
goal: soon after as several fishermen were
coming out of a tavern in the same part of
the town, they were assaulted by a corporal
and some soldiers, who wounded one of the
fishermen very grievously, they were soon
apprehended, and brought before the said
justice, who was kept up the chief part of
the night on the occasion. In short, dis¬
orders and violences, are so increasing, that
it is said this magistrate is intending an
application to his Majesty’s Council, for
their countenance and assistance, in raising
and arming such a number of the inhab¬
itants as may be sufficient to secure himself
and the inhabitants from receiving any
future insults from Lord H — b — gh’s mili¬
tary peace preservers.
March 7
The inhabitants of the New England
factures; for this we are under the greatest
advantages, having wool, flax and other
raw materials in plenty, and the quantity
annually increasing; new and skilful artizans
are daily multiplying upon us, and may
already find full employ. — In Rhode-Islandf
it’s now expected that gentlemen in office
recommend themselves to their constituents,
by encouraging and patronizing their own
manufactures, and so earnest are many of
the inhabitants to save their country from
ruin, that they have resolved not to give
their votes for any of the candidates at
their ensuing election, who do not appear
principally clothed in cloth manufactured
either in that, or other American colonies. — 1
Connecticut is in a like respect, become an
example worthy of imitation, their clergy
and those in office among them, pride them¬
selves in being clothed by the industry of
their wives and children, with the wool and
flax of their own growth. — The people of
New-Hampshire, are making progress in
their manufactures, and it is with as much
pleasure, as truth, we can tell the world,
that the inhabitants of the Massachusetts,
already provide themselves with the chief
part of their necessary clothing. — Several
well approved schemes are now on foot in
Boston, for the employment of our poor,
under very able direction, — a great number
of suits of homespun cloth are subscribed for,
by its principal gentlemen. — The clergy and
men in office through the province, counte¬
nance and encourage this spirit of industry;
and the man, be his family or estate ever so
distinguish’d, is now more respected with an
honest home made garment, than if he were
clad with the most gaudy attire of the East.
These are some of the happy effects, flowing
from the injudicious burdens and restrictions
laid upon our foreign trade; and the resent¬
ment which Americans have taken, at having
their assemblies dissolv’d for not complying
with the mandates of a M — r, and at the
steps taken to dragoon rather than reason us
into a submission to the late measures of
A — d — n.
March 81
The following letter from a gentleman in
Connecticut, does in a sprightly manner
governments really seem in earnest to pro¬
mote industry, by encouraging home manu-
1 Item for March 8 is from the Boston Evening Post, May 8, 1769, p. 1, which also contains the items for March
9 to March 15, inclusive, and most of the item for March 16.
76 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
convey the sentiments of the judicious in
the several colonies, respecting the late
violent and affrontive measures of Ad — n,
and their hopes of the happy tendency they
may finally have to promote the trade and
establish the liberties of North-America.
“I am glad the troops are come and, be¬
lieve their arrival will be for the health of
this country. — There is a great deal of
oratory in the glitter of arms; and a few ships
of war contain all the arts of persuasion. A
cannon ball carries with it, solid and weighty
arguments; and a thrust in the side with a
bayonet, will give conviction in a moment.
I imagine we are now convinced of the neces¬
sity of leaving off trade with the people of
Great-Britain, and the danger of meddling
with their manufactures till they are in a
better humour, and will rescind their resolu¬
tions of taking our money out of our pockets
without our consent: We have paid dear
enough for being infatuated with this de¬
structive trade, it is the source of almost all
the mischiefs and confusion, that has hap¬
pened in the land; and it is time the inchant-
ment was broke, and our attention turned
upon the productions of America; we are
able to live within ourselves, and have busi¬
ness enough at home, without gadding
abroad after every knick knack, and trinket
that is worked up in Great-Britain, and as
we can’t be persuaded into such a wholsome
practice by lenitive and moderate means,
we must be brought to the exercise of reason
by vigorous measures, and the point of the
bayonet becomes necessary to fix the con¬
viction. Preparations of steel and surgical
instruments, when lenitives fail, often times
produce wonderful effects, and are frequently
used in opening the eyes of the blind. — If
we were not a dull stupid race of mortals,
and had seasonably relinquished the trade
to Great-Britain, the operation of cutlary
ware, and the rhetoric of red coats, would be
of no service; but as matters now stand,
the eyes of many want couching, and these
surgical operations must take off the film,
and bring us to our senses, and to measures
that are so confessedly for our interest.
To speak without a metaphor. — The
troops are highly necessary to clog, em-
1 Items from March 9 to March 18, inclusive, are
pp. 1-2.
* The Boston Evening Post , omits “G. B.” from its i
barrass & obstruct the importation of
British manufactures, and to give us clear
and distinct conceptions of the nature and
tendency of the late revenue acts; and herein
I think they will apparently co-operate with
the measures we are pursuing, promote the
cause we are pleading, and be a means of
fixing our attention upon the only means of
our safety. America is greatly indebted to
the troops, and highly obliged to the sagacity
and fore-sight of that incomparable poli¬
tician G — r B — d for procuring them. And
for my part, I cannot but consider the mili¬
tary parade, and every insult and abuse
which the people of Boston meet with from
the soldiery, as a comment upon the Farmer’s
Letters, a confirmation of his observations,
and I believe they will serve as an expositor,
to illustrate & set his reasonings, if possible,
in a more clear, conclusive & striking light,
and convince Americans of the inestimable
worth of liberty, and establish them in the
lasting enjoyment of it.
March 9X
The procedure of G. B.2 the C — m — rs,
&c. with respect to the trade of this province
is such, that the most just and impartial
representation thereof must be the greatest
reproach on their official conduct and
characters: The appearance of guarda
coastas, and custom-house boats in our
harbour, and the parade of tide waiters,
land waiters, surveyors, searchers, and we
know not what other kinds of custom and
revenue officers, on our wharves, is useless,
and is extravagantly ridiculous, as is that
of the troops in our streets and commons. —
All this may indeed lead foreigners to con¬
clude, that the chief part of our commerce
is really detrimental & ruinous to our mother
country, and that it is intended wholly to
annihilate it. — The error of the former part
of the conclusion, may be pointed out here¬
after, but the verity of the latter must
appear from the following relations, — A
small schooner from Maryland, with a load
of corn, when coming into the harbour, was
at different times, boarded with no less than
four boats from our guarda costas, and
searched and rummaged by those marine
from the New York Journal , Supplement , April 13, 1769,
tem for this date.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
77
custom-house officers; and no sooner had
she touched the wharf, than four land and
tide waiters, &c. took possession of her, for
another search, and to inspect her unload¬
ing: Our other provision vessels have been
dealt with in much the same manner. A
sloop from the West Indies, last from the
Vineyard, was no sooner arrived in the
harbour, than one Manwaring,1 lately
brought from Quebec, as a suitable person
to answer the purposes of the C — m — rs,
came on board, bringing a number of otheF
officers as assistants, who with dark lan-
thorns, gimblets, spears for the piercing of
casks, spits and other implements of modern
introduction, made a thorough rummage and
search of the hold and cabbin, when happen¬
ing to find a small case which contained
scarce six quarts of foreign spirits, part of
the captain’s sea stores, this faithful officer
tho’t himself obliged to carry off the same
to his employer; the master then reported
at the custom-house, all the molasses which
came in her from the West Indies, together
with 40 lb. of indigo upon oath; informing
at the same time, that having received
damage to his rudder, while at the Vineyard,
he was obliged to take out part of this
molasses, in order to repair the same; this it
seems was construed by the C — m — rs as
breaking bulk before an entry, and the
vessel actually seized for the same, and the
owner thereby obliged to make a journey to
Boston, of above one hundred miles, at this
difficult season for travelling; the cargo has
been since released, but the owner is not yet
certain that his vessel will not be libelled in
a Court of Admiralty.
March 10
A ship from Lisbon with a load of salt,
owned as it is said by Mr. Lane, of London,
which has been arrived for some time, was
the other day seized, and taken possession
of by order of the C — m — rs. It seems one
of the sailors had acquainted an emissary
of the B — d, that while the ship was froze
up at the Vineyard, part of the cargo had
been sold: Upon the strictest enquiry it
appears that the captain, had disposed of a
few lemons, not more than 1500, and that
this is the only pretence as yet made for
the seizure and detention of said ship and
cargo.
March 11
A vessel from Maryland, loaded with corn
and other grain, had a number of custom¬
house officers placed on board her, so soon
as she got to a wharf, who proved that they
were more sagacious, than the marine offi¬
cers, who had rummaged her hold before
them; for in their searches they actually
found about forty pounds weight of refuse
tobacco, stuffed near the masts, scarce worth
four shillings sterling, to prevent the grain
running into the bilge water, which has by
the C — m — rs and their abettors, been
thought a sufficient breach of the acts of
trade, to justify their seizing and taking
possession of said sloop— Whether more
tobacco, or anything else may be turned out,
when she is unloading that has not been
reported at the custom-house, neither we
nor the C — m — rs can as yet pretend to say:
That vessels should be seized and taken
from their owners upon such slight pretences
in order to search for articles, upon which a
libel may be founded, and a condemnation
obtained, we may venture to affirm, is a
practice not countenanced even in old
countries, and a grievance that affords the
American merchant a just cause of com¬
plaint.
March 12
Several vessels which had been seized and
detained from the owners for a considerable
time, to their very great damage, have been
released to them again: One that had been
libelled, has been cleared by a decree of the
Judge of Admiralty, and some cargoes,
which had been taken possession of by the
custom-house officers, have been delivered
up to their owners, while nothing has as yet
been determined by them, with respect to
the vessels — Those who are still concerned
in trade, are continually distressed or
alarmed, and know not how to conduct
themselves; scarce a vessel enters at the
Customhouse from a foreign voyage, but the
captain is reminded by one or another of the
custom-house or revenue-officers, that some
omissions had been made in his papers of
clearance, &c. for which he was liable to a
seizure; and such advantages have been
* This name was written M — nw — g in the item as published in the Boston Evening Post.
78
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
taken by the C — m — rs of the little mistakes
made by a master or the merchant, that
shipping is now become the greatest burden,
and our navigation is daily decreasing, which
must be severely felt by the nation in a
future war, an event which may too speedily
take place — The seas cannot then be spread
as they have been, with our private ships of
war, and though the pockets of Americans,
may then be forceably opened by a British
M — r, he will certainly find, that preceding
ones have drained them to the very bottom.
March 13
The Raven transport, one of the ships
with troops from Ireland, parted with the
rest of the fleet in distress, just before they
arrived here in the fall; there was no intelli¬
gence of her for months after; happily she
found the way to the West Indies. — The
following letter contains some diverting
particulars of her arrival there.
Nevis, Jan. 8, 1769.
Dr. Sir,
Some of his Majesty’s forces arrived here
that were design’d for your place to keep you
in good order , the Colonel is a member of
Parliament; full of expectations of your
being a resty people, but he has been told
here, that he will be made so happy in Bos¬
ton, that he will forget the trouble Govern¬
ment had given him, by his jaunt to America
to quell a rebellion that never had existence:
Whilst I think of it, I must hand you a
curious anecdote. — The night this transport,
that was blown from North-America, turn’d
the point of Nevis, (it being Christmas
times, and martial law in force) some little
mistake happened, and an alarm of five
guns was fir’d from the fort: By the care¬
lessness of the gunner, some of the shot were
not drawn, and one or two whistled among
the Raven’s rigging. — The soldiers were
mustered. — Some say with bayonets fixt,
and “all rebels, both island & continent by
G — d,” was the word. — A boat with an
officer, are said to have come on shore, to
know whether this was intentionally against
a ship in his Majesty’s service. — By the
return made by the officer, it was found
there were no more signs of a rebellion there,
than ever had appeared at Boston.”
— March 14
G — r B — d’s picture has been lately re¬
turned to Harvard-College to be hung up
in the library: Our American limner, Mr.
Copely, by the surprising art of his pencil,
has actually restored as good a heart as had
been taken from it; tho’ upon a near and
accurate inspection, it will be found to be no
other than a false one. — There may it long
remain hangings to shew posterity the true
picture of the man, who during a weak and
w — d Ad — n, was suffered to continue in
the s — t of G — m — t, a sore scourge to the
people, until he had happily awakened a
whole continent to a thorough sense of their
own interest, and thereby laid the founda¬
tion of American greatness. _
March 15
Last Monday there was a meeting of the
freeholders, and other inhabitants, of this
town, for the choice of town officers, &c.
when a number of respectable gentlemen
were appointed committees, “To consider
what was proper to be done relative to the
trespasses which have been made by the
soldiery, on the town’s land, and to prevent
like trespasses, for the future; or what steps
may be necessary for the town to take in
addition to what has been already done by
the Selectmen, for vindicating the character
of the inhabitants, and obtaining the knowl¬
edge of such representations as may have
been made to their prejudice. — As also of
the measures that can be taken to check the
progress of vice, and immoralities, now
breaking in upon the town like a flood; and
of some suitable methods for employing the
poor of the town, whose numbers and dis¬
tresses are daily increasing, by the loss of its
trade and commerce; which committees are
to report to the town at the adjournment of
the meeting on Tuesday the 4th of April
next.
March 16
Being Thursday, we are informed orders
have been given out to the soldiery, that
they keep in their barracks from Friday
9 o’clock until the Lord’s day following; and
that every man be provided with six rounds
of powder & ball: The picquet guards were
also ordered to hold themselves in readiness
to turn out at a minute’s warning. — Various
are the conjectures of the inhabitants on
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
79
this occasion; some think that it is in order
to restrain their men from all extravagance
upon the morrow, which is Saint Patrick’s
day, while others are of the mind, that it is
in consequence of some reports which have
been propagated, that there are to be effigies
hung upon the Tree of Liberty, on the
Saturday, being the anniversary of the
repeal of the Stamp Act, and that great
disturbances are then like to take place; it
seems the G — r would have it thought so,
or he would not have told his C — 1 not long
since, that he had been informed of such
intentions, and that he gave them this
advice, that they might consider before
hand the part they had to act, as he should
certainly call upon them for their advice
and assistance in case it should so happen. —
We apprehend such reports are only propa¬
gated by the cabal to answer certain pur¬
poses of their own, and that the behaviour
of the Sons of Liberty on that day will be
still, as it ever has been, such as cannot
reflect any dishonour upon themselves, or in
any respect tend to create the least dis¬
turbance among us.
March 17
Instances of the licentious and outrageous
behaviour of the military conservators of the
peace still multiply upon us, some of which
are of such a nature, and have been carried
to so great lengths, as must serve fully to
evince that a late vote of this town, calling
upon the inhabitants to provide themselves
with arms for their defence, was a measure
as prudent as it was legal ; such violences are
always to be apprehended from military
troops, when quartered in the body of a
populous city; but more especially so, when
they are led to believe that they are become
necessary to awe a spirit of rebellion, injuri¬
ously said to be existing therein. It is a
natural right which the people have reserved
to themselves, confirmed by the Bill of
Rights, to keep arms for their own defence;
and as Mr. Blackstone observes, it is to be
made use of when the sanctions of society
and law are found insufficient to restrain the
violence of oppression. — We are however,
pleased to find that the inhabitants of this
town, under every insult and outrage, re¬
ceived from the soldiery, are looking up to
the laws of the land, for redress; and if any
influence should be powerful enough to
deprive the meanest subject of this security;
the people will not be answerable for the
unhappy consequences that may flow there¬
from.
March 18
A woman of this town, was struck down
the other evening near the rope-walks, and
much abused and wounded by a soldier;
another woman, when passing the streets,
was served in the same brutal manner, and
then robb’d of a bundle of linen she had
under her arm; as was also a pedlar coming
into town, from whom they took about
forty dollars. — And a still more daring at¬
tempt was made the Monday before last.
When the post-rider, with the mails for
Rhode-Island, New-London, New-York,
Philadelphia, &c. &c. &c. was assaulted on
Boston Neck, just after sun-set, as he was
setting out on his journey, by four or five
persons, who appeared dress’d as officers,
one of them took his sword from his belt,
and with the small end in his hands, struck
the rider on the head with the hilt, that it
forc’d the sword out of the scabbard, and
went to a considerable distance: — The rider
recovering himself, inform’d them that he
was on his Majesty’s service, whereupon
they all ran off. The rider would have re¬
turned to town, but as there had been
stoppages lately, occasioned by the bad
travelling, he was determined not to be the
means of the mail’s returning out of season,
he went on, and at the first stage had his
head bath’d, which was considerably swelled
with the blow; he reached New-Port on
Wednesday, from whence he employed
another person to perform for him the last
week.
March 19l
But while the persons and properties of
the inhabitants, are suffering such repeated
injuries from the soldiery: G. B. and the
C — m — rs go on, exercising their severities
against the merchants. — A vessel belonging
to this town, just returned from the West-
Indies, has been seized and taken possession
of by a party of the revenue officers; the
only pretence therefor, being this; that while
the vessel lay at the Vineyard wind bound,
1 Items for March 19 to March 24, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , Supplement, April 27, 1769, p. 1.
80
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
one of the seamen took the liberty to dispose
of his adventure, which was not more than
half a barrel of molasses: This information,
it is said was obtain’d through the instru¬
mentality of one of their gang, who it seems
had found means to influence a common
sailor to make this notable discovery. —
Some hogsheads and barrels of molasses,
which came from Newbury, have also been
seized and carried off to the custom-house
store; a most extraordinary procedure! the
captain of said vessel, having declared, when
he reported this cargo at the custom-house,
that he could not ascertain the exact quan¬
tity taken on at Newbury, as the mate’s and
seamen’s adventures were unknown to him,
and therefore requested that it might be
noted, that he desired a post entry, those
adventures were therefore not taken out of
the vessel, but only hoisted upon deck at
noon-day, where they were to have remained
until the captain had made the proposed
entry, had they not been taken from thence,
as above recited.
March 20
Saturday last being the anniversary of
the repeal of the Stamp Act, the same was
noticed as has been usual. The British flag
was displayed on Liberty Tree, and at noon
a number of gentlemen met in the hall under
the same, where a number of loyal toasts
were drank, and the greatest order and
decorum observed by the company.
The confinement of the soldiery to their
barracks upon Saturday, together with a
wicked report, which was spread among
them by our enemies, that the Sons of
Liberty had intended, to expose the effigy
of St. Patrick, upon the Tree of Liberty, on
said day, so provoked our military, that
numbers of the three companies, quartering
at Murray’s sugar-house, determined to
sally forth that night, and cut down the
Tree of Liberty; accordingly, just before
1 1 o’clock the signal was given by firing a
gun, as was intended, over the guard house,
when by carelessness they fired a brace of
balls through the same, but happily hurt no
one; immediately thereupon every man was
out with his arms complete; and also axes
and saws, to demolish the Tree of Liberty;
one soldier in his freak, fired a ball from one
room to another, and shot the tail of a
sergeant’s shirt off, but did no other damage:
The officers were immediately alarmed, and
by their intreaties and promise of pardon;
the soldiery returned to their barracks, and
remained quiet through the night.
March 21
We are advised from Providence, that on
the 18 th of March, a day auspicious to Ameri¬
can freedom, early in the morning a paper
appeared on Liberty Tree, and another in
the most public part of the town, of the
following contents,
To the SONS of LIBERTY.
DEARLY BELOVED,
Revolving time hath brought about another
anniversary of the repeal of the odious
Stamp-Act — an act framed to divest us of
our liberties, and to bring us to slavery,
poverty and misery. The resolute stand
made by the Sons of Liberty against the
detestable policy, had more effect in bring¬
ing on the repeal, than any conviction in the
P — rl-m — t of G — t-B — n of the injustice
and iniquity of the act. — It was repealed
from principles of convenience to O — d-
E — d, and accompanied with a declaration
of their right to tax us. And since the same
P — t have passed acts, which, if obeyed in
the colonies, will be equally fatal. — Although
the people of G — t-B — n be only fellow
subjects, they have (of late) assumed a
power to compel us to buy at their market
such things as we want, of European produce
and manufacture; and at the same time have
taxed many of the articles, for the express
purpose of a revenue; and, for the collection
of the duties, have sent fleets, armies, com¬
missioners, guarda costas, judges of ad¬
miralty, and a host of petty officers, whose
insolence and rapacity have become in¬
tolerable. — Our cities are garrisoned — the
peace and order which heretofore dignified
our streets, are exchanged for the horrid
blasphemies and outrages of soldiers — Our
trade is obstructed — Our vessels and car¬
goes, the effects of industry, violently
seized; and, in a word, every species of in¬
justice that a wicked and debauched min¬
istry could invent, is now practised against
the most sober, industrious and loyal people,
that ever lived in society. — The joint suppli¬
cations of all the colonies have been rejected.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
81
and letters and mandates, in terms of the
highest affront and indignity, have been
transmitted from little and insignificant
servants of the Crown, to his Majesty’s
grand and august sovereignties in America.
These things being so, it becomes us, my
brethren, to walk worthy of our vocation —
to use every lawful mean, to frustrate the
wicked designs of our enemies at home and
abroad — and to unite against the evil and
pernicious machinations of those who would
destroy us. I judge that nothing can have a
better tendency to this grand end than
encouraging our own manufactures, and a
total disuse of foreign superfluities.
When I consider the corruption of G — t-
B — n — their load of debt — their intestine
divisions, tumults and riots — their scarcity
of provision — and the contempt in which
they are held by the nations about them;
and when I consider, on the other hand, the
state of the American colonies, with regard
to the various climates soils, produce, rapid
population, joined to the virtue of the in¬
habitants, I cannot but think that the con¬
duct of O — d-E — d towards us, may be
ermitted by divine wisdom, and ordained
y the unsearchable providence of the
Almighty, for hastening a period dreadful
to G — t-B — n.
A SON of LIBERTY.
Providence ,
March 18, 1769.
The above among other articles of a like
tenor, have been inserted in this Journal,
with an honest intention, to convey to the
people of Britain, the unhappy tho’ powerful
tendency of the late measures, respecting
America, to alienate our affections and ex¬
cite such resentments, as must be productive
of the most unhappy consequences to Great-
Britain; consequences which we are sur¬
prised, that the weakest states-man and
most short sighted politician, should not
have fully apprehended.
March 22
Governor Bernard, has published a proc¬
lamation, for a general fast to be kept the
6th of April next. — It has been observed,
that in all the proclamations of his prede¬
cessors on such occasions, they never once
omitted, the following supplicatory article,
viz. “That God would be graciously pleased
to continue to us, the enjoyment of all our
invaluable privileges, of a civil and religious
nature.” But that our present Governor
has not once inserted such a clause. — We
are not at a loss however, to account for
said omission. — This gentleman had not
been long among us, before he discovered a
dislike of our constitution, and a disposition
to get the same new modeled, as soon as an
opportunity presented, this accounts for all
his conduct, relative to the Stamp Act, at
which time his speeches and letters, as well
as his conversation clearly discovered, that
he was making the most daring attempts to
effect his detestable purposes; may the
people of this province, unite in their sup¬
plications on the approaching fast, that
those inestimable privileges may still be
preserved, and transmitted inviolate to the
latest posterity.
March 23
We have before mentioned the spirited
resolves, which had passed the Assembly of
North-Carolina, they carry in themselves,
the best compliment, to the good sense and
patriotism of those worthy members. — The
speaker of the late House of Representatives
for this province, has just received the fol¬
lowing letter.
North-Carolina, Newbern , 10th Nov. 1768.
SIR.
The House of Assembly of this colony'
being prorogued to the 3d instant, prevented
my sooner laying before them your very
important letter of the 11th of February
last, the purport of which they proceeded
immediately to take into their considera¬
tion. And I am directed to inform you that
they are extremely obliged to the Assembly
of the Massachusetts-Bay, for communi¬
cating their sentiments on so interesting a
subject; and shall ever be ready, firmly to
unite with their sister colonies, in pursuing
every constitutional measure, for redress of
the grievances so justly complain’d of.
This House is desirous to cultivate the
strictest harmony and friendship with the
Assemblies of the colonies in general, and
with your House in particular.
With you we entertain the strongest con¬
fidence of his Majesty’s clemency and
justice; nor do we doubt but that the dutiful
and united supplications of his loyal Ameri-
82 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
can subjects, will meet with his most gracious
favour and acceptance.
This House have therefore taken the
earliest opportunity permitted them, of
pursuing measures for obtaining redress,
similar to those adopted by your’s, and have
directed their agent Henry Eustice McCulloh ,
Esq; to join the agents of the other colonies
in obtaining a repeal of those oppressive
acts of Parliament imposing duties on paper,
glass, &c. in America.
The Assembly of this colony will at all
times receive with pleasure, the opinion of
your house in matters of general concern to
America, and be equally willing on every
such occasion to communicate their senti¬
ments, not doubting of their meeting a
candid and friendly acceptance. In the
name, and by order of the House of As¬
sembly.
I am, with great regard,
Sir, Your most obedient humble servant,
JOHN HARVEY , Speaker.
To the Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq; late
Speaker , &c.
The above letter completes the answers
to our Circular Letter. — The colonies no
longer disconnected, form one body; a com¬
mon sensation possesses the whole, the
circulation is complete; and the vital fluid
returns from whence it set out. — If this
circulation is kept up, its constitution will
be firm and durable.
March 24
Not long since, there was a promise given
in Messrs. Fleet’s paper, by a person un¬
known, of a full answer to the Farmer, in a
series of letters; it was never imagin’d that
this large promise could be fulfill’d; tho’ it
excited some expectation. — At length the
mountain brings forth, — and there appears
in the Evening-Post, as strange, awkward,
uncouth a figure of a writer, as ever thrust
himself into public view; without any traces
of parts or education, reason or humour,
strength or fancy, taste or even grammar:
He opposes himself to a writer possessed of
all: The expectation he had rais’d, was soon
changed into ridicule, and the public laugh
at this misshapen object, whose malignity
against the rights of America, fully justifies
what might otherwise appear an inhuman
diversion. This wretch however, has tho’t
himself qualified, (and perhaps for once he
has tho’t right) to make a panegyric, upon
one of the principal authors of the troubles
of America, and the perplexities of Britain.
No one can doubt, that like other late
prostitutes, he writes for a large fee, and if
it should bear any proportion to the public
scorn , which falls to his own share, and that
of the cause in which he is engag’d; it must
be a large one indeed.
March 251
A number of resolves, said to be the re¬
solves of the H — e of L — ds respecting
American affairs have, made their appear¬
ance in all our newspapers.
The resolves, lately published in our
papers as the Lord’s, it is said were intro¬
duced into the House by L — H — h, and
seconded by the D. of B — d; but were op¬
posed, among others by the Duke of R — d
and Lord Sh — ne.2 Lord Sh — ne said he had
his sentiments of American affairs, which he
reserved to the time when those affairs
would come before the house in a more
important view. The Duke of R — d spoke
strongly against the resolves, and appealed
to their L — ps whether it was equitable, or
could tend to the honour of that august
body, or give to the Americans at this
critical season, an advantageous and re¬
spectful idea of the British Government, to
decide upon such important questions, when
the accounts that lay before them, were all
from one side, and whole realms were to be
condemn’d unheard; without being allowed
any opportunity of refuting or alleviating
the charges laid against them, or even
knowing what those charges were. — This
weighty objection, it seems, did not prevent
the passing the resolves; though we cannot
find that any lord offered any satisfactory
reply to it, from the principles of reason and
equity, or the spirit of the British constitu¬
tion, so favourable to the subject, and mild
to the accused.
The M — y greatly wanted, and no doubt
strenuously exerted themselves, to procure
a s — h3 at the opening of Parliament, and
1 Items for March 25 to March 27, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , Supplement , May 4, 1767, p. 1.
2 Duke of Rutland and Lord Shelburne.
* Speech.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
83
such resolutions from both Houses, as might
prove a sanction to their own impolitic and
violent measures respecting America. To
whose misrepresentations, these ruinous
measures to both countries, are principally
owing no one is at a loss to determine. A
dark cabal here, have left no means unem¬
ployed, to beguile the leading men in the
British Government, into these measures,
and to create a pretence, a very false one
indeed, for enforcing them by a military
power. A — n is fallen into the snare; and
ashamed to confess its own weakness; and
not knowing how to make an honourable
retreat, fly to P — t for protection. It is
certain that among sixty papers, laid before
the Lords, which are also to come before the
Commons, more than thirty are letters from
G — r B — d to the Secretary of State.
Some among us are of opinion that these
resolutions, as we have seen no copy pub¬
lished by authority, must be spurious, for
they cannot suppose that a majority of the
House of L — ds wou’d ever so severely con¬
demn the Circular Letter of the Massachu¬
setts House of Assembly, which implies
nothing but a right in British subjects to
unite in humble supplications to the throne.
Good God! If this is denied us, this last
refuge of the miserable, what have we left!
It is also deemed highly improbable that
any one should dare, so far to impose upon
such an august assembly, as to lead them to
call the letter of the Selectmen to the several
towns, a PRECEPT, when it assum’d no
shadow of authority; and to condemn a
large number of as loyal subjects as any in
the British Empire, for meeting together to
recognize and strengthen the authority of
Government, to petition their sovereign
under their grievances, and to promote
order and a good temper among their fellow
subjects, towards all which salutary purposes
their meeting was known to have a happy
influence at a very critical season. What¬
ever grounds there may or may not be for
suppositions, we are told by our friends on
the other side the water, that some of the
resolves of the Lords will meet with opposi¬
tion in the House of Commons. But even
the copy of them that has appear’d here is
far from being pleasing to the cabal! They
suppose that all the resolutions, except the
last, are design’d to lie in the Journals, and
have all their effect there; they find nothing
said of disfranchising the town of Boston, of
annulling the constitutional assemblies of
the several towns, of vacating provincial
charters, and appointing the Council of
the Massachusetts by the King, &c. — This
is the game at which they have play’d, and
in which they are greatly disappointed.
The last resolve, which all the foregoing
were design’d to introduce, perplexes and
chagrins them: There is a formal address
of the Lords beseeching the King, to require
the Governor of the Massachusetts to do,
what is not only his indispensible duty, but
that of every good subject. According to
this resolve it seems their Lordships, with
all the artful and agravated accounts of
G. B. before them, cannot as yet find any
satisfactory evidence of treason or mis¬
prision of treason. — They appear to have
expected this, but the proof fails. They
therefore supplicate his Majesty to require
Governor Bernard to make further enquiry —
This is particularly distressing to the cabal:
Their whole force now lies before Parlia¬
ment, and so far are they from being able to
make any addition to it, that plain and
indisputable facts, if attended to, must in¬
validate what they have already offered. —
When we reflect upon the treatment Amer¬
ica in general, and this province in particular
has receiv’d, and trace the methods by
which the great have been abused, and the
whole empire shaken. — What bosom burns
not in its country’s cause?
March 26
The new commission, constituting Robert
Auchmuty Esq; Judge of Admiralty, &c.
was read in open Court of Admiralty, and
upon a motion made by the King’s advocate,
the prosecutions which have for many
months past been carrying on against John
Hancock, Esq; and other gentlemen of this
town were dropt — We cannot help remark¬
ing at present, that one of the witnesses
summoned on the part of the crown in these
vexatious prosecutions, stands presented by
the grand jury of the county for perjury, in
this very instance; but we shall defer a full
narration of the infamous steps taken by
the C — m — rs without the least shadow of
proof, to harass and if possible, to ruin the
fortunes, as well as reputations, of gentle-
84 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
men of the most distinguished and un¬
blemished character; until we shall have
leisure to make it the particular object of
our attention.
March 27
The grand jury for the county of Suffolk,
broke up last week, having sat a longer time
than usual; among other bills found by the
said jury are one against Capt. J — n fV — n,
for stirring up, exciting, and encouraging the
Negro slaves in Boston to a conspiracy
against their masters; one against Lieut.
M — r, of the 14th. Regiment, quartered in
this town, and a number of soldiers, for
forceably breaking open and entering the
dwelling house of Mr. John Hemmingway in
the night, with design to revenge the murder
of a favourite dog; another against a number
of soldiers, for way-laying, assaulting, and
smiting, some inhabitants of the town in the
night, — another against a number of sol¬
diers, for assaulting with drawn cutlasses
and bayonets; smiting and wounded, John
Ruddock, Esq; one of his Majesty’s justices
of the peace, when suppressing a riot at the
north part of the town, late at night, in
which they were actors; and another bill
against one Joseph Muzzele for perjury in
the case between the King and John Han¬
cock Esq; lately pending in the Court of
Vice Admiralty — Mr. Att — y then laid be¬
fore the jury, a recognisance of one S — s
B — r of Connecticut, to answer at the court
of assize, to the charge of enticing soldiers
to desert from the regiments quartered
among us, but there not being any kind of
proof produced to support said charge. —
No bill was found against him. — The be¬
haviour of the K — g’s Att — y while attend¬
ing the jury was in their opinion, no other
than might be expected from one who had
lately received so many lucrative court
favours through the instrumentality of a
G — r, to whose views he had for some years
past rendered himself quite subservient. —
What treatment the bills referred to, will
meet with when laid before the C — t, a
little time must determine. — If the dignity
of a b — ch of j — s, and the peace and security
of the subject, are to be sacrificed to the
perverse will and evil intentions of a G — r
and C — rs. The province is then, in a pitiable
case indeed.
March 28l
The charge and vexation of clearing out
vessels coasting from one part of the prov¬
ince to another, is a growing evil. — The
master of a vessel, owned at Duxbury, a
town in the port of Boston, to which harbour
the coasters go and return in about a fort¬
night, having taken some necessaries on
board for the people dwelling there, was, as
all others are, obliged to clear out, &c. The
charge of which amounted to three dollars;
a large tax upon the English merchandize
transported from port to port, in the course
of a year, and a great discouragement to our
trade and navigation, — Sufferances must be
obtained at the custom-house, before shot,
powder, rum, sugar, molasses and any
triffling articles are taken into a coaster: A
brazier of this town put a bar of steel on
board one of these boats for a customer, and
offered to swear it was English; this was not
satisfactory, unless he would swear to the
very vessel this bar was imported in; this
could not be done by him, as the steel in his
store had been mixt; the skipper was there¬
fore prevented from receiving it on board,
and obliged to return it back to the brazier: |
A merchant of this town, was put to the like
difficulty, respecting a box of Bristol glass,
and another relative to a chest of English
tea: And we are told, that in consequence
of orders from the C — m — rs, it is required
at the custom house, when a barrel of sugar,
rum, and a few pounds of coffee, &c. &c. &c.
are reported for shipping to any place even
in this harbour, that instead of the usual
certificate from the merchant, that those
goods were legally imported and had paid
the imposed duties, the vender of such arti¬
cles must make oath, as to the vessel it was
imported in; and also the purchaser , that
they are the same; and even the truckman is
to give evidence that such goods have been
put on board those coasters. — The confusion
which must be occasioned by such before un¬
heard of requirements, in a new country , whose
settlers are scattered along an extensive sea
shore , and are constantly needing supplies , are
as obvious , as the illegality and impolicy of
1 Items from March 28 to April 2, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , Supplement , May 11, 1769, p. 1.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
85
those and such like proceedings of the American
B — d of C — rs.
March 29
By the number of vessels, brought into
this, and other American harbours, by our
little guarda costas, we might be ready to
conclude, there had been a formal declara¬
tion of war against the trade and navigation
of this continent, and that in the manner of
pursuing it, the G — r and C — m — rs were
determined to make it as distressing as
possible. — A vessel owned in the colony of
Connecticut, having received on board,
several hogsheads of rum at the island of
St. Christophers, for which a clearance could
not be produced, was taken possession of by
an English guarda costa, near the Vineyard,
and is now brought into this harbour, —
another vessel belonging to a gentleman in
this town, returning from the West-Indies,
being met with by a guarda costa at no great
distance from this place, she was stopp’d
and searched; and a trifle of coffee being
found on board, she was seized; and the
captain instead of bringing her into the port
she was bound to, thought proper to carry
her into Rhode-Island harbour.
March 30
It was early conceived, by the most
sagacious and knowing nations, that a num¬
ber of females had always determined the
condition of men, by means of their spinning
wheels: And Virgil intimates, that the gol¬
den age advanced slower, or faster as they
spun.
“Talia saecla, suis dixerunt, currite Fusis
- Parcee.”
And had the ladies, in every age since,
ruled in this laudable way, perhaps some
nations would be in a far better state than
they now are, but be that as it will; I pre¬
sume there never was a time when, or a
place where, the spinning wheel could more
influence the affairs of men, than at present,
in this and the neighbouring colonies; — or
sooner produce a golden age. The following
relations and instances amongst a multitude
of others, in all the colonies, of the industry
and frugality, of American ladies, must
exalt their characters in the eyes of the world,
and serve to shew how greatly they are
contributing to bring about the political
salvation of a whole continent.
A gentleman at New-Port writes — “As I
am a very great lover of liberty, of beauty,
of music, of my country, and of ail those who
endeavour to promote and establish, by
good oeconomy its wealth, peace, prosperity
and tranquility, and being at the sign of
Pitt’s Head in this town, on Tuesday last,
was extremely pleased by having admittance
into the company of eleven of the Daughters
of Liberty, ladies of character, and lovers of
British freedom, and industry; each being
laudably employed in playing on a musical
instrument, called a spinning wheel, the
melody of whose music, alnd the beauty of
the prospect, transcending for delight, all the
entertainments of my life. I was still more
pleased with the ladies company, (when by
inquiry) I had learnt more of their love of
liberty, and strict attachment to their coun¬
try’s welfare, and of their determination of
persevering in such laudable exercise and
good oeconomy, as is a credit to the fair sex,
and an honour to America.
For I found that, as these Daughters of
Liberty, delight in each others company,
they had agreed to make circular visits to
each of their houses, and in order to excite
emulation in serving their country, pro¬
moting temperance and industry, had de¬
termined to convert each visit into a spin¬
ning match, and to have no entertainments
but what is the produce of their own coun¬
try; and to appear as much as possible
clothed with our own manufactures, and
that more especially which is the effects of
their own labour — The above-said ladies
spun between 6 o’clock in the morning, and
6 o’clock in the evening, 37 skeins and 15
threads, which upon an average make three
skeins five knots and five threads.
March 31
A gentleman in James-Town, also writes —
as a proof that the Daughters of Liberty, in
this town are not less zealous in promoting
American manufactures, and the cause of
constitutional liberty, than those of New-
Port. I can assure you that eighteen ladies,
of good fashion and character, of this town,
and two from New-Port, met on Monday
last at the house of Mr. James Carr, Junr.
in order to try their dexterity, at a spinning^
match: And notwithstanding one was"Eut f
eleven years old, and another left off at
86
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
I
about two o’clock, they spun between sun¬
rise and sun-set 78 skeins and nine knots of
choice linen yarn; each skein containing 15
knots, and each knot 40 threads. — I will
only observe to the honour of the above
mentioned twenty in particular, and the
fair sex in general. — That were the gentle¬
men really as sincere, and as much in earnest
in promoting frugality, industry, and all
other virtues, as the ladies are, there is not
the least doubt, but we should soon free
ourselves from the burdens with which we
are now oppress’d, and lay the foundation of
American liberty on a basis not to be shaken
by any power on earth!
We are informed from North-Kingston,
that last Friday, eleven neighbouring young
ladies met together, at the house of John
Congon, Esq; in this town, upon a spinning
match; where they began to spin about
sun-rise, and spun about forty six fifteen
knotted skeins of good linen yarn, and left
off about five in the afternoon of said day;
when about as many young gentlemen, as
there were ladies, came to said house, and
opened a fine ball, as a recompence to the
ladies, for their industry.
And from New-Port, that lately eleven
ladies met at the house of Mr. Stephen
Tripp, on the Point, and spun 34 skeins and
seven knots of good linnen yarn, — Though
the quantity they spun, was not so great as
has been produced by some spinning matches,
consisting of the same number; yet I believe
it may with truth be said, that it exceeded
in firmness, as the whole weighed but 4 lb.
5 oz. which is eight skeins to the pound. —
To the honour of those ladies, it ought to be
mentioned, that they refused the regale of
the destructive Bohea, and were most of
them dressed in clothes of their own spin¬
ning, and the others are resolutely deter¬
mined to follow the laudable example as
soon as possible.
April 1
WE are also advised from Huntington
on Long-Island, that very lately a
company of young ladies belonging
to that town, to the number of sixteen, met
to spend the day together, not in idle dissi¬
pation, (as is too often the case,) but with
a truly laudable design of promoting in¬
dustry, for they had no sooner met to¬
gether, but to divert themselves, they each
took their spinning wheels and applied
themselves so closely and with that dexterity
that at the close of the day, they had spun
one hundred and seven skeins, in each skein
were ten knots, which made in the whole one
thousand and seventy knots, weighing
thirty two pounds of very good linen yarn.
The ladies were all decently clad in home-
spun, the manufacture of their own town;
who like true female patriots, shewed by
their conduct, that they despised to dress
with the manufactures of a country that is
endeavouring to enslave us. — It also ap¬
peared, that a female patriotism was pre¬
dominant in their conduct, when the tea
table was introduced; for instead of making” i
use of any foreign tea, (which is become
more nauseous since loaded with an un¬
constitutional tax,) they substituted a tea
the growth of that town, called Ever-Green ,
which for its pleasant flavour, and many
excellent qualities, is prefered by many to
the best green tea. _
April 2
There are shameful instances of some
persons in all towns, who esteeming money
the chief good, are not unwilling to dispense
with troops being quartered among them,
provided their gains may be thereby in¬
creased; the wise and good, who prefer the
public prosperity to their own little inter¬
ests, are very differently affected by such
an occurrance; knowing that vice debases,
and must finally work out the ruin of the
most flourishing societies; they cannot but
be deeply affected, with the prevalency of it
in this town, more especially since the
troops came among us; The exertions of the
most faithful magistrates are not sufficient
to stop the progress of every immorality:
The air is contaminated with oaths, and
blasphemies; violences are in the midst of
us; and the sun as well as the moon and
stars, witnesseth to the shameful prostitu¬
tions, that are daily committed in our
streets and commons.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 87
April 4l
This day the freeholders, and other in¬
habitants of this town, met by adjournment
at Faneuil-Hall, to receive the reports of
several committees; when among others, the
following were accepted, viz. The report of
a committee relative to employing the poor,
in which the overseers had a grant of £500
lawful money, to be apply’d for the pro¬
curing of spinning wheels, &c. for such
women and children as are unable to pur¬
chase them. — Another report, pointing out
the most likely methods to check the pro¬
gress of vice, and immortality! wherein it
was observed, that nothing would better
contribute to bring the proposals to effect,
than agreeing upon some effectual scheme
for employing the numerous poor of this
town. — And another, directing, and em¬
powering, the Selectmen to bring such
actions as they may judge proper to prevent
or remove any trespasses upon the town’s
lands, and for obtaining damages for the
same. —
April 5
The committee, to consider what was
further necessary to be done for vindicating
the character of the inhabitants, and ob¬
taining the knowledge of such representa¬
tions as may have been made to their preju¬
dice; Reported the draft of a humble peti¬
tion to his Majesty, which was unanimously
accepted, and ordered to be transmitted to
the Hon. Col. Isaac Barry, a member of the
British House of Commons, with the desire
of the town, that the same might be imme¬
diately presented. — In this petition, the
town express their grief and astonishment,
to find that such accounts had been laid
before the House of Lords, as to induce them
to pass a resolve, that they had been in a
state of disorder and confusion for some
time past. — They assure his M — y that
none of his subjects in the town, can be
justly charg’d with disaffection to his person,
family, or government, or the least disposi¬
tion to oppose the due restraints of law, or
constitutional authority, —And that the
only instance that could bear a representa¬
tion of disorder in the town within the year
past, was in a great measure occasioned by
the misconduct of some of the servants of
the crown; who by exercising a power not
warranted by acts of Parliament, or beyond
their direction, had irritated the minds of
some individuals; but that the disorder was
immediately discountenanced, and sup¬
pressed by the body of the inhabitants.
That his Majesty’s Council however, the
next morning began an inquiry into the
disorder, and the persons active in it, but
were stop’d in the process by G. B. himself,
who chose in his own way and manner , to
take depositions, and transmit them, such
as they were , without giving the town the
least notice of what they contain’d, or the
knowledge even of the magistrate before
whom they were taken? They complain to
his Majesty that their public transactions
have been represented as springing from
undutifulness, disaffection, and even the
principles of rebellion; the unhappy effects
of which they feel in the ordering a military
force, under a supposed necessity of them to
aid civil authority and preserve the peace,
while the town is kept in total ignorance of
the matters alledged against them. — They
represent to his M — y, that they had par¬
ticularly waited on G. B. and intreated him
to point out in what respects the public
transactions of the town had militated with
law, but could not obtain such a favour. —
They beseech his Majesty with hearts full
of affection and duty, and at the same time,
with the warmest attachment to their own
constitutional rights, liberties, and privileges,
to allow them to declare those accounts to
be ill grounded, which have represented
them as held to their allegiance and duty,
only by the hand of terror, and the force of
arms; and they supplicate the removal of a
military power, — a power unnecessary, —
a power unfavourable to commerce, de¬
structive to morals, dangerous to law, and
tending to overthrow the civil constitution.
— They fly to the justice as well as the
clemency of the s — n, and pray that they
may be favour’d with copies of Governor
Bernard’s letters {some of which have since
come to hand ,) the memorials of the Com¬
missioners of the customs in America, and
other papers, that affect their most im-
1 Items from April 4 to April 12, inclusive, are from The New York Journal , Supplement, May 18, 1769, p. 1.
Apparently there was no item of the Journal for April 3, 1769, as it is missing from the New York Journal and the
Boston Evening Post.
88 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
portant interests, that they may have the
opportunity of vindicating themselves: And
they conclude with declaring, that they
doubt not their being able to make their
innocence appear to the satisfaction of
their s — n, and the shame of their accusers.
April 6
In the appointment, of acting justices for
every county, too much care cannot be
taken, that they be not only persons of the
best morals , but of a spirit which will lead
them to act up to the true character of re¬
forming magistrates: This town has been
so happy in times past, as to have a number
of such magistrates; men who nobly exerted
themselves, for the suppression of drunken¬
ness, Sabbath-breaking, profaneness and
other immoralities; and it is cause of thank¬
fulness, that the present day still offer’d
instances of such faithfulness — However, it
seems G. B. is of opinion, that a reform of
the magistracy is become absolutely neces¬
sary for making better times; but dispairing
of having the consent of his C — 1, for dis¬
placing any of the present justices; he has
seen fit to add a number to the bench, who
are to labour in this salutary work. — The
people might reasonably have concluded,
that a suppression of the immortalities
enumerated, would have been the main
object of their pursuit, but it seems nothing
less is intended, — a reform of government and
not of the manners of the people, is the serv¬
ice allotted them; and this reform is to con¬
sist in a bracing up of government , which has
been represented to be in a much more lax
state than are our morals. A foreigner has
been pitch’d upon to take the lead in this
arduous undertaking, of bracing up govern¬
ment, the plain English of which is, strength¬
ening and aiding the measures of an avaricious,
arbitrary G — r; but the service has proved
too fatiguing for even a S — ch1 constitution,
— he often reels and staggers under his load
of service,2 — Poor gentleman, some persons
were passing his house the other night, as
he was coming to his street door with a large
•taper in his hand, to light one of his clan
Into the street, when they observed his
knees to smite one against another, which
presently after buckled under him, and this
reformer received a fall, which excited the
pity rather than laughter of the beholders. —
It is to be hoped some proper help will be
speedily afforded him, as it cannot but
excite ridicule, to perceive a lax unbraced
magistrate, employed in bracing up govern¬
ment. — It is a serious truth, that if mags-
trates are vicious and immoral, the people will
soon be so; and if in those appointments , so
little regard is paid even to political characters,
as that t — s, and r — s,z may be entrusted with
the execution of the laws, provided they will
act in subserviency to the views of a selfish,
arbitrary, G — r, the rights , as well as the
morals , of such a people, must be in the most
deplorable situation.
April 7
The resolutions of the merchants of
Philadelphia, not to import any more foreign
merchandize, while the present restrictions,
burdens, and impositions, upon the trade of
North-America are continued, gives high
satisfaction to the true friends of the colo¬
nies in this province, as does the conduct of
the merchants in New-York, in appointing
a committee to inquire into, and inspect all
European importations, in order to a strict
compliance with their agreement, respecting
a non-importation of foreign wares; which
committee is to correspond with the mer¬
chants of other colonies. — Measures which
we hope will be adopted by all their neigh¬
bours and be productive of the most salutary
effects to a whole continent.
April 8
The capacity of a Hottentot at this time
of day, is sufficient to discern, that our ruin
can come only from ourselves: And that
our fellow subjects in Great-Britain, can’t
deprive us of our rights if we mind our own
business and let theirs alone. The truth is,
we have no occasion for British manufac¬
tures, they are rank poison to the constitu¬
tion of this country. We live in a land that
flows with milk and honey, and with suitable
culture, will presently yield us the neces¬
saries and conveniences of life in rich
abundance.
We have had line upon line, and lecture
1 Scotch.
2 The remaining part of this item was omitted by the Boston Evening Post.
* Probably “traitors and rogues.”
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
89
upon lecture, to shew us the importance and
necessity of disusing as fast as possible
European articles , and attending to those
that are fabricated and manufactured in
America , as the only way to unrivit the
chains, and burst asunder the bands of iron
that are fastened on us.
Those persons who for the sake of a little
foreign pelf, directly or indirectly, encourage
or connive, at the importation of articles
pernitious to the constitutional rights of
this country, ought to be look’d upon as
men destitute of reason, civility, and com¬
mon sense. The people of Great-Britain, by
the burdens and impositions on trade, and
by their coersive and vigorous measures,
abundantly intimate that our trade in those
parts is disagreeable , and that it would be
well to forbear, at least for a season. — It
must therefore be unmannerly and contrary
to the rules of reason, and good breeding, to
keep haunting them, after their actions have
amounted almost to a flat denial.
Let us all my countryman, resolve to be
constitutionally free, and not barter away
our birth-right privileges, for that which
profiteth not. Let us save our money in
order to save our country; let the business of
importation , already thick set with diffi¬
culties, and dangerous to pursue, come to a
period , and those who promote it to the dis¬
advantage of the cause of liberty, be looked
upon with an eye of contempt: Let us by no
means promote or esteem those, who are
pursuing interests diametrically opposite to
the interest of the public, and who to gratify
their avaricious cravings, would sell their
country, and compass sea and land to
obtain articles, which if obtain’d tend to
involve America in irretrievable ruin”* 1
April 9
There have been great disturbances not
long since, in the barracks at New-Boston,
and some tumults in the street near them,
occasioned by the insults and outrages of the
drunken soldiery, in which several of the
inhabitants, as well as the soldiers were
wounded. — Violences must be expected from
soldiers , who have a raging appetite for spirits ,
and whose barracks , are encircled with dis-
tilling-houses and dram shops.
April 10 _
Two soldiers the other evening, left the
guard on the Neck, and were making off
into the country; one of them who had been
much in liquor, on coming to his senses,
thought it most expedient to return, and
throw himself upon the mercy of a Court
Marshal;1 by this court, we are told, he was
sentenced to have only eight hundred lashes,
three hundred and eighty of which, he re¬
ceived in part, and was then carried off to
the hospital, to all appearance a dead man.
April 11
There was very severe whippings the day
before yesterday; a grenadier having re¬
ceived about two hundered lashes, in part of
a Court Marshal’s2 sentence, the doctor as
it is said, advised to his being loosed from
the halberts, it being his opinion, that a
greater number might endanger life. He was
accordingly unloosed, when he fell upon the
ground senseless, but upon pouring some
water down his throat, he soon came to
himself; this encouraged the humane officer,
to order his being again tied to the halberts,
and that the drummers should proceed in
executing the sentence; he accordingly re¬
ceived about fifty more lashes, as seemingly
insensible of the strokes as would have been
a statue of marble: He was then taken down
and conveyed away to the hospital, a seem¬
ing corps.
April 12
Yesterday morning it was confidently
reported to the inhabitants, by several of
the soldiers, that the grenadier whipped the
day before, was actually dead. — The minds
of people were agitated with this news; the
circumstances of his punishment, could not
but greatly affect them: They applied to
the two coroners in town, who discovered
that they needed no stimulus, to discharge
their duty. — Thomas Daws, Esq; immedi¬
ately proceeded to the hospital in the Com¬
mon, and would not be satisfied with any
information of doctors, &c. until, he had
seen the man, and was assured that he was
living; soon after Mr. Pierpont, the other
coroner, made a legal inquisition; he also
informed the inhabitants, that the man was
alive, but that he appeared to him to be in a
1 The beginning of this quotation is omitted in this item in the New York Journal .
1 The spelling in the Boston Evening Post is “martial.”
90 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
most hazardous condition. We hope he may
recover, or in case of his death , that it may be
manifested to the world , that the town of Boston
in New-England, as well as the city of Win¬
chester , in Old-En gland, has its worthies , who
can never rest until they have taken all proper
and legal methods , to clear the land of the guilt
of that blood, which would otherwise lie upon it.
April 131
Yesterday a vessel from Barnstable came
into the harbour in order to fit out for a
whaling voyage. — The crew seeing a man
of war’s boat in chase, thought proper to
consult their own safety, by taking to their
whale boat; by dint of superior dexterity,
after rowing near three miles, they landed
upon an island, before the King’s boat could
reach them, and ran a shore, leaving their
boat to the mercy of their pursuers, who
greedily seized it together, with several
bundles of clothes, and other necessaries,
belonging to the whale men, and return’d
with their plunder, to their ship, from whence
they came.
April 14
Some free, tho’ honest publications, have
it seems, given great offence to the cabal, in
this town, who cannot bear to have their
public conduct animadverted upon in the
prints, or their private machinations, to
serve themselves, at the expence of their
country, laid open to the public eye. — We
are therefore not surprized, to hear that the
H — ble R — A — , Esq; Judge of Admiralty
for this province, &c. has forbid Mr. E. P.
the Deputy Register of the Court of Ad¬
miralty, from putting any of his advertise¬
ments, relative to seizures, &c. in Messrs.
Edes and Gill’s Gazette, or the Boston
Evening-Post, published by Messrs. John
and Thomas Fleets.
April 15
A young woman lately passing thro’ Long-
Lane, was stopt and very ill treated by some
soldiers, the cry of the person assaulted,
brought out another woman into the street,
who for daring to expostulate with the
ruffians, received a stroke from one of them,
and would probably have been further
abused, had not her husband, and some
other men came up timely to her assistance;
the soldiers were then soon beat off and the
young woman whom they had seiz’d as their
prey, rescued.
April 16
The owner of the sloop from Barnstable,
who had his boat, &c. taken from him the
other day, by some people belonging to one
of the men of war in this harbour; waited
upon Commodore Hood, the 13th inst. to
desire restitution of his property; when, as
we are well informed, the Commodore was
pleased to say, that tho’ he had suffered
much by the frequent dissertions, and wanted
a number of men to complete his compli¬
ment, he was yet determined not to man the
King’s ships by hurting the trade, that the
men would have been immediately released,
had they been impressed, as they were
bound on a whaling voyage, he being de¬
termined not to impress either fishermen or
coasters. The Commodore then gave him
an order to the captain of the ship which had
made the seizure, by which the owner ob¬
tain’d his boat, &c. — If instances of a due
regard to justice , and tenderness to the mer¬
chants, should become more frequent, they
will occur the oftner in this Journal.
April 17
Advices have been received from the
different colonies, on this continent that the
anniversary of the repeal of the Stamp Act,
on the 18th of March 1766, has been kept
as a day of festivity, and celebrated by the
friends of liberty, with the usual formalities.
— The following are the principal toasts,
drank upon the memoriable occasion. The
King, Queen, Prince of Wales and royal
family, the Earl of Cahtham, Marquis of
Rockingham, Earl of Dartmouth, General
Conway, Col. Barry, Mr. Bourke, and every
other generous assertor of American rights,
Alderman Wilkes, John Dickenson, Esq;
author of the Farmer’s Letters, — James Otis,
Esq; author of the Rights of Colonies. —
The spirited Assembly of the year 1765 —
The 92 members of the Boston Assembly,
who voted against rescinding — The patriotic
Assembly of Connecticut, Rhode-Island,
New-York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, N. and
S. Carolina, and Georgia, unanimity, fidelity
1 Items for April 13 to April 23, 1769, inclusive, are from the New York Journal, Supplement, June 1, 1769, p. 1.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
91
and perseverance to the Sons of Liberty in
America, a perpetual union and harmony
between Great-Britain and her colonies,—
Success to the American manufactures, the
liberty of the press, and disappointment to
those who endeavour to subvert it, success
to that uncorrupted patriot General Paoli
and the brave Corsicans.
April 18
In most parts of the continent there are
ladies, which continue their noble exertions,
to encourage a spirit of industry, and manu-
facutres. — A gentleman on Long-Island, in¬
forms the public, that three young ladies,
namely Ermina, Liticia and Sabina, having
met together, agreed to try their dexterity
at the spinning-wheel; accordingly the next
morning, they set themselves down and like
the virtuous woman, put their hands to the_
spindle, and held the distaff; at evening |
they had 26 skeins of good linen yarn, each
I skein containing four ounces, all which were
1 _ the effects of that day’s work only. — And
adds. — It is hoped that the ladies of Con¬
necticut, and Rhode-Island, who have
shewn their skill and industry, at the spin¬
ning-wheel, will be sincerely pleased to find
their laudable example, so well imitated, in
Huntington, and that it has kindled a spirit
of generous emulation in the ladies of New-
York government; we hope the same spirit
will spread through the continent. — That
the ladies, while they vie with each other in
skill and industry, in this profitable employ¬
ment, may vie, with the men, in contributing
to the preservation and prosperity of their
country, and equally share the honour of it.
April 19
In the Superior Court at Boston, begun
in March last, Daniel Mertier, gentleman,
Peter Robinson, John Newton, John Brom-
field, John Ashley, and Joseph Annis, all
residing in Boston, (being soldiers) were in¬
dicted for riotously entering the house of one
Joshua Hemmingway, (in Boston) armed
with swords and bayonets, and for assaulting
the said Joshua Hemmingway, Elizabeth
Ridley, Rebecca Hemmingway, and Moses
Hemmingway, threatening them, and put¬
ting them in fear of their lives, &c. the said
Peter Robinson, John Newton, John Brom-
field, John Ashly, and Joseph Annis, ap¬
peared and pleaded not guilty; but were
informed that if they would plead guilty,
and throw themselves upon the mercy of the
court, it was not doubted but the punish¬
ment would be very small; a motion was
then made by their council, that they might
have leave to retract their former plea and,
plead guilty, which was permitted; and so
those persons then said they would not
contend with our lord the King, &c. and
afterwards a nolle prosequi , was entered in
behalf of the King, by Jonathan Sewel, Esq;
his Majesty’s Attorney General, on the back
of the said indictment, but no entry of the
said indictment was ever made in the court
minute book, nor doth it any where appear
that the said Daniel Metier, ever appeared
in the said court according to his recogni¬
zance, or was ever call’d upon to appear, no
minute or order thereof, being found, though
carefully sought for.
April 20
Capt. John Wilson, being under a recogni¬
zance, for an appearance at the said Superior
Court, to answer an accusation against him,
for wickedly soliciting the Negroes of the
town, to abuse their masters and cut their
throats, &c. as has been heretofore related,
came into court and took a seat upon the
bench together with a number of military
officers; after sitting some short time (Judge
Auchmuty his council, being about to move
the bench in his behalf) beckned to him to
come down, which hint was with difficulty
taken — after he was upon the floor, Mr.
Auchmuty, informed the court that Capt.
Wilson, was attending there, in compliance
with his recognizance, and that as his client
did not know how soon he might be ordered
away upon the King’s service, he was now
waiting the orders of the court, — whereupon
the court asked the Attorney General
whether he was ready for the trial — who
answered he was not ready , tho’ all the wit¬
nesses lived in Boston.) Captain Willson’s
council, in order to save his recognizance,
then moved that his appearance might be
minuted; which being done, he had leave to
depart, with directions to attend the court
whenever he should be called upon, he de¬
parted accordingly, and has not been notified
92
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
to give his attendance during the term, and
it is probable never will appear, the court
having adjourned without day, the 17th of
the last month.
April 21
It was expected that the tryal of a number
of soldiers for assaulting and resisting with
drawn swords and bayonets, John Ruddock,
Esq; justice of the peace for this county in
the execution of his office, would now have
come on, but to the surprise and disappoint¬
ment of many, it was not brought on, nor
has any thing been done upon it, as we can
yet learn.
April 22
One Maysel, against whom a bill of in¬
dictment was found, for being guilty of
perjury in the Court of Admiralty, upon a
libel there against John Hancock, Esq; for
landing part of a cargo of Madeira wines,
without paying the duties, could not now be
brought to his trial, as this fellow, to whom
a post has been given by recommendation of
the Commissioners, on board the sloop
Liberty, late Mr. Hancock's, now a guarda
costa, is upon a cruise in said sloop.
April 23
These proceedings are as unusual, as they
are alarming. — Perhaps Mr. DeBerts letters,
may lead us in some measure to account for
them, being there informed, that L — d
H — b — gh told him, he was advised from
hence that a number of law suits (meaning
no doubt, some of those recited above) had
been commenced against certain persons
which evidenced, that an ill temper still re¬
mained among us: It is possible this young
S — y may have thought that throwing a
discouragement upon prosecutions of this
sort may be one way of bracing up Govern¬
ment and supporting its dignity. Be this as
it may, we are fully of opinion, that a delay
of justice in some cases amounts to a denial
of justice, and that if ever the time should
come, when justice shall be only suspended
in complaisance to the military; and soldiers
instead of supporting the civil magistrate,
in the legal execution of his office, shall be
the persons who may obstruct and terrify
them with impunity when thus doing, the
law of the land will then be set afloat, and
wretched indeed must be the circumstances
of such a people.
April 28'
At the Superiour Court held at Charles¬
town, application was made by the Custom-
House officers, for a full supply of writs of
assistance, which were accordingly granted.
By the late acts the officers of the customs
are “empowered to enter into any house,
warehouse, shop, or other place, in the
British colonies, or plantations in America,
to search for, or seize prohibited or uncus¬
tomed goods." — A dreadful power indeed!
And if we can recollect instances of such a
wanton use of this power, even in Boston,
as that a magistrate should be threatened
and his house rummaged, by an officer in
resentment at his being fined for breach of
law; what may we not fear at a time when
Spanish policy has been so far adopted, as
that the most ignorant, hair-brain’d, and
extravagant persons in commission on board
the ships of war are converted into custom¬
house officers? If we only reflect that the
judges of these American courts, are ap¬
pointed during pleasure, and that one purpose
for which money is to be levied upon the
colonies by a late act is, that they may have
adequate provision made for them, which is
to continue, during their complaisant be¬
haviour, what an engine of oppression may
this authority be in such hands! We are
well aware that writs of this kind, for search¬
ing houses in England, have been granted
under the seal of the Court of Exchequer,
according to the statute, which seal is kept
by the Chancellor of the Exchequer: it
should however be remembered that the
custom-house officers, at home are under
certain checks & restrictions, which they
cannot be under here; and therefore the writ
of assistance ought to be look’d upon as a
different thing there, from what it is here.
In England the Exchequer has the power of
controuling them in every respect; and even
of inflicting corporal punishment upon them
1 Apparently there were no items of the Journal for April 24, 25, 26, 27. The publication of the Journal in
the Boston Evening Post was continuous at this period. So far no items for the above dates have been found. Items
for April 28 to May 2, inclusive, are from the Boston Evening Post , June 26, 1769, p. 1.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
93
for mal-conduct, of which there have been
instances; they are the proper officers of that
court, and are accountable to it as often as
it shall call them to account, and they do in
fact account to it for money receiv’d, and
for their behaviour, once every week. Do
the officers of the customs here account with
the Superior Court, or lodge money received
in the hands of that court; or are they as
officers under any sort of check from it?
Will they concede to such powers in the
Superior Court? Or does this court, not¬
withstanding there are powers belonging to
the Exchequer, — notwithstanding it is said
to be vested with all the powers belonging
to the Exchequer, — and further notwith¬
standing this very writ of assistance is to be
granted as a power belonging to the Ex¬
chequer, will the Superior Court itself as¬
sume the power of calling these officers to
account, and punish them for misbehaviour ?
We know not of one instance of this sort,
but on the contrary, have we not seen not
long ago, an inferior custom-house officer,
who has since swelled into a C — m — r of the
B — d of C — s — ms, refusing to account to
any power in the province for monies re¬
ceiv’d by him by virtue of his office, belong¬
ing to the province, and which we were then
assured by the joint declaration of the three
branches of the legislature, was unjustly as
well as illegally detain’d by him?
But notwithstanding writs of assistance
issued in Britain are guarded with such
restrictions, “The greatest assertors of the
rights of Englishmen have already strenu¬
ously contended that such a power was
dangerous to freedom, and expressly con¬
trary to the common law, which ever re¬
garded a man’s house as his castle, or a
place of perfect security. — If such power
was in the least degree dangerous there, it
must be utterly destructive to liberty here.
For the people of England have two securi¬
ties; against the undue exercise of this power
by the crown, which are wanting with us. —
In the first place if any unjustice is done
there, the person injured may bring his
action against the offender, and have it
tried before independent judges who were
no parties in committing the injury. — Here
he must have it tried before dependent
judges, being the men who granted the
• >*
writ.
April 29
We are well informed, that the officers of
the customs applied the last year to the
Chief Justices or bench of judges, in several
of the colonies, for granting them writs of
assistance but that those justices from a
tender regard to the constitution, and the
rights of American freeholders, did actually
refuse a compliance with those demands. —
The C — 1 — r of the port of New-London in
Connecticut, has lately applied a second
time to the Superior Court there for such
writs; at the same time laying a letter before
them, which he had received from one of the
crown lawyers in England in answer to one
wrote upon the subject, in which letter, a
great compliment was paid to the Chief
Justice of the Massachusetts, for the proof
he had given of a right understanding of the
law, and of his zeal for his Majesty’s service,
by so readily granting those writs, upon the
application made by the custom-house
officers; and his example was recommended
as worthy of their imitation. The court did
not however, think proper to show a like
complaisance, but chose to refer this request,
to the consideration of their General As¬
sembly at the approaching session.
April 30
The quartering troops in the body of a
town is as ruinous to the soldiery as it is
distressing to the inhabitants; every day
furnishes out instances of their debaucheries
and consequent violences.
As an aged woman at the north part of
Boston; was setting the other evening in a
lower room, having no person in the house
with her: a soldier came in and seeing her
have a Bible on the table before her; he
expressed his approbation of her piety and
attempted a kind of exposition upon some
parts thereof, but soon dropping this dis¬
course, he acquainted her that he had a bad
swelling on his hip, and should be glad of her
advice; but while the good woman was at¬
tending to his relation, this abandoned
wretch, seized her, by the shoulders, threw
her upon the floor, and notwithstanding her
years, attempted a rape upon her, which was
prevented by the resistance and screams
occasioned by his brutal behaviour; he
thought proper to hurry off, taking with
him a bundle of shirts and other linen, which
94 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
had been just before sent into the house for
washing, and ironing; a business which the
person followed to obtain a livelihood.
May 1
CAPTAIN of a vessel lately arrived
from Halifax, passing the streets last
evening, in company with two mar¬
ried women, were met by some soldiers, who
immediately accosted them in a rude in¬
decent manner; the captain tho’t proper to
inform them, that those women were mar¬
ried, and also to reprove them for such
behaviour; but for taking this liberty, he
was presently knocked down, and had like to
have lost an eye by a blow receiv’d.
May 2
On the other night past 1 1 o’clock several
officers and one soldier, meeting with two
of the town’s watchmen, they began to
curse and damn them, and soon after the
soldier struck one of the watchmen, who
returned the blow, which laid him in the
gutter, then the two officers came up, and
were as free with their blows as the soldier;
the noise and racket soon brought other
watchmen to the assistance of those who
were assaulted, when one of the officers drew
a bayonet, and damning them, said stand
off, or I will run you through; the watchmen
not being intimidated, gave him a stroke on
the arm which obliged him to drop the
bayonet; when they seized him and carried
him off to prison, the watchmen were fol¬
lowed by another officer, with a drawn
sword or cutlass under his arm, but being
told that if he did not leave them, they
would endeavour to secure him also, he
thought proper to sheer off. Several officers
came at different times, and offered the
watchmen drink or money, if they would
release the prisoner, but to their honor they
refused those offers, & entered a complaint
against them, to a magistrate the next
morning.
May 3l
Last Lord’s day some assemblies in this
town, were greatly disturbed during divine
service, by the rattling of drums and play of
the fifes. — A party of soldiers with those
noisy instruments passed one of those as¬
semblies twice in the space of half an hour:
As there has been lately no disturbances of
this sort in the time of service, it is to be
hoped, that this behaviour was accidental,
and rather owing to the inattention or wild¬
ness of the officer who commanded the
party, than to a design of again bringing up
the practice. — It has also been noticed by
some persons, that the sawing of wood at
the barracks, is more heard on the Sabbath,
than on week days; perhaps this may be
pleaded for a work of necessity and mercy ,
the service the troops are engaged in, being
so important as not to permit any other
leasure time being allotted them for this
business. — Col. Mackay, in the Ravin
transport, with the remainder of the 65th
Regiment arrived from St. Christophers on
the morning of said day.
- May 4
The following relation of what lately
happened on board the brig Pittpacket,
Capt. Thomas Power, belonging to Marble¬
head and bound in there from Cadiz; we
may venture to assert, is a more just and
impartial one, than what appear’d in
Messrs. Mein & Flemming’s newspaper, the
day after Governor Barnard, Commodore
Hood, the Lieut. Governor, Secretary, and
Robert Auchmuty, Esq; Judge of Admiralty
condescended to go on board the Rose man
of war, to make enquiry into the matter.
This brigantine when within seven leagues
off Cape Ann, was met with by the Rose
man of war, Capt. Caldwell, who boarded
her and took out two men he had impressed;
but these being for some reasons released,
Mr. Panton the Lieut, of the Rose, with a
number of men, again boarded the brig with
design to take some other of their hands,
who four in number, had secured themselves
in the fore-peak, there determining to defend
themselves with the weapons they had pro¬
cured, against any illegal attack, upon their
liberty; such an attack was then actually
begun by the Lieut. He at first used many
persuasive arguments, to induce them to
surrender themselves, offering in that case,
to take but two of them, and afterwards
only one of them, but finding all his en¬
deavours ineffectual to induce them to come
1 Items from May 3 to May 10, inclusive, are from the New York "Journal , Supplement , June 22, 1769, p. 1.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
95
up: The Lieut, then informed them that he
was determined to make use of force; and
the sailors as resolutely protested, that they
would defend themselves to the last ex¬
tremity: A pistol charge of powder was
then fired at them, which wounded the face
of one Michael Corbett; and soon after
another of the men received a pistol shot in
his arm, which broke the bone and occa¬
sioned a great effusion of blood. — This out¬
rage of the press gang, so far from intimi¬
dating, increased the resolution of the men
to die, rather than surrender themselves to
such a lawless banditti; and indeed their
whole conduct, seemed to manifest an
abhorence of being forced on board a man
of war, and that they preferred death to
such a life as they deemed slavery. — They
repeatedly declared, they would kill the
first man that offered to approach them:
And a man the Lieut, sent in to begin the
attack upon them, was considerably
wounded, on which he retreated. — The
Lieut, then told them that he would lead
the way to them himself: Corbett answered
him, with the most solemn protestations,
and called Almighty GOD to witness, that
so sure, as he advanced one step farther, he
should instantly lose his life. The Lieut,
told them he had seen many a brave fellow;
should take a pinch of snuff and then con¬
sider of it, which having deliberately done,
he began to step towards them, when Cor¬
bett, agreeable to his promise, struck the
Lieut, with a harpoon near his throat which
cut the jugular vein; he only had time to say,
that they had taken his life; and, gasping
three or four times, fell and expired.
The sailors still continued to defend them¬
selves, notwithstanding there was a large
number of marines at this time on board the
brig; but having provided themselves with a
quantity of liquor, all but Corbett became
so intoxicated therewith, that they were
soon pulled out; he continued to defend
himself for three hours and a half after he
killed the Lieut, and it is thought would
have been killed on the spot, rather than
have been taken, if he had retained the use
I of his limbs; but being also overcome with
liquor, was by that means taken.
- May 5
The captain of the Rose, after this tragical
affair, thought himself obliged or rather
presumed to take charge of the brig, as well
as the men belonging to her, and has brought
them into this harbour, together with the
corps of the lieutenant. — The inhabitants
were not a little alarmed to learn that those
who were the aggressors, and acted in defi¬
ance of an act of Parliament, are left at
liberty, while the men who only stood upon
their defence against an illegal attempt
upon their liberty are confined in irons, on
board the man of war, in order to their being
put upon a tryal for life; and that proper
application for their being brought up to
town, and treated as the law prescribes has
been hitherto ineffectual; but they are quite
astonished to hear that C — m — r R — b — n
and others of the cabal have given out that
Lieut. Panton was not on the business of
pressing men, but only executing the duty
of a custom-house officer on board the brig
by endeavouring to search out and secure
contrabrand goods; and that he was there¬
fore opposed and slain, while in the due
execution of that trust. — We shall only
remark upon the above account, that if the
captains of our men of war have it in their
power to stop vessels at sea and impress
the seamen; as also to detain such vessels in
order to break open hatches and make a
search for uncustomed goods; that then the
floating property of the merchants lies at
their mercy: Or if such officers can assume
on board a merchantman at sea, the shape
of either marine or custom-house officer as
best suits them, in order to their laying
hands on our seamen; that then a kite is
made of a most solemn act of Parliament,
provided, and enacted, for the security of
the persons of that class of his Majesty’s
leige subjects in America, whether by sea or
land.
It is said the Lieut, of the Rose was the
person who not long since fought a duel
with an inhabitant of this town, who gen¬
erously gave him a life, which he has since
sacrificed to his rashness.
May 6
The merchants of this town met accord¬
ing to adjournment, on Thursday last, when
the committee appointed to make enquiry
relative to the importation of goods, by the
vessels lately arrived from Great-Britain,
96
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
reported, and then adjourned their meeting
to the Tuesday after.
For the satisfaction of the friends of
liberty, in this and the neighbouring colo¬
nies, they are acquainted that there has not
been imported in all the ships from England ,
more woollen goods than would fill a long
boat, — that the agreement of the merchants
has been strictly adhered to: Such of them
as have had goods sent them, having freely
engaged to deliver them up to the Com¬
mittee of Inspection. — A few traders have
taken advantage of the virtue and public
spirit of the merchants; their names may
soon be made public through the continent,
and transmitted to posterity with infamy,
in the annals of their country.
May 7
The merchants and traders of Salem,
Marblehead, Cape Ann, Ipswich, New
Plymouth, Nantucket and other towns in
this province have discovered a like firmness
and virtue, such an union among the mer¬
cantile interest, of this and the neighbouring
provinces, relative to a non-importation, &c.
as at present subsists, cannot finally fail, of
freeing the trade of the colonies from its
present intolerable embarrassments, and
causing it to be put on its old footing, which
must prove as beneficial to Great-Britain as
it will be advantageous to America.
May 8
Last week three criminals, sat upon the
gallows and received twenty stripes each
under the same, agreeable to their sentence
of the Superior Court, for setting fire to the
county gaol. — It seems the guard of soldiers
at the fortification gates had orders to stop
all persons going through, who appeared like
sailors; some of the inhabitants being stopt
among them, it gave great uneasiness, and
was so resented, that had they not been re¬
leased, and those orders countermanded, it
is apprehended a great tumult might have
been the consequence.
At the above execution the conduct of -
was tho’t calculated to promote an appear¬
ance of resistance to the civil authority; a
number of inhabitants suspecting this,
offered their assistance to the sheriff, to
prevent an escape of the prisoners which
would have afforded a noble subject for
G — B — and his cabal, to build a repre¬
sentation to the Ministry upon. It is how¬
ever a fact that the inhabitants of this
province in general and this town in particu¬
lar, are determined to support the execution
of justice at all events, without any regard
to the quality or station of the offenders.
May 9
The report of his Majesty having con-
ferr’d upon G — B — , the title of a barronet,
is supposed to have occasioned the following
congratulatory address.
To Sir -
As an individual inhabitant of this prov¬
ince, tho’ obscure and mean, I beg leave to
present my congratulatory compliment to
your - on the high honour you now
sustain, of a baronet of Great-Britain. This
is a promotion which the friends of Govern¬
ment, or which is the same thing, your own
friends have long thought you justly merited:
And even your enemies, and the factious
leaders themselves, must confess that, the
eminent services you have done for the
present M — y have been such as my L —
of H — , that patron of true worth, could not
fail to set forth in the most distinguishing
point of light. — Your promotion, Sir, reflects
an honour on the province itself: An honour
which has never been conferred upon it,
since the thrice happy administration of Sir
Edmond Andros, of precious memory who
was also a baronet; nor have the unremitted
endeavours of that very amiable, and truly
patriotic gentleman, to render the most
substantial and lasting services to this
people, upon the plan of a wise and un¬
corrupted set of M — rs, been ever parralled
till since you adorn’d the ch — r. — Your own
etters will serve to convince the world, and
the latest posterity, that while you have
constantly preserved a sacred and inviolable
regard to punctilious truth, in every repre¬
sentation, which you have made of the people
of you G — , you have carefully endeavoured
to give the most favourable colouring to
their conduct and reputation. And the
tenderness which you have ever remarkably
felt for their civil rights, as well as their
religion, will not admit of the least room to
question, but that were the influence you
have evidently employ’d with success to
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
97
introduce a military power, and the un¬
wearied pains you took to get them quartered
in the body of the town, sprang from your
piety, and benevolence of heart, — Pity it is
that you have not a pension to support your
title But an assembly well chosen, may
supply that want even to your wish. Should
this fail, a late letter, said to have strongly
recommended a tax upon the improved
lands of the colonies, may be equally suc¬
cessful with the other letters of the like
nature, and funds sufficient may be rais’d
for the use and emolument of yourself and
friends without a dependance upon a “mili¬
tary establishment supported by the prov¬
ince at Castle William.” I am, Sir with the
most profound respect, and with the sin-
cerest wishes for your further exaltation, the
most servile of all your tools,
A Tory.
May 10
The policy of the present day is totally
different from what it was in former times,
that those governors who discover a capac¬
ity for that trust by conciliating the affec¬
tions of the governed, and carrying favourite
poincs for Administration, without alarming
the people, do not seem to stand in so fair a
way of receiving C — t favours, as they do
who render themselves quite obnoxious, and
are so happily successful as to throw, not
only a single province, but a whole continent
and kingdom, into anxiety, confusion, and
distress.
Notwithstanding the publication of J — s
M — y, the late new made justice, in all the
papers of this day; the facts contained in
the Journal cannot be controverted, and
the Journalist will take proper notice of the
late abusive attack, in the course of his
observations; he thinks for very obvious
reasons, that ’tis best he should remain con¬
cealed, tho’ absolutely certain that every
account published in the Journal is strictly
agreeable to truth. Many occurrences there¬
in mentioned he was perfectly acquainted
with, being an accidental spectator of them.1
May 12 2
On the first instant the freeholders, and
other inhabitants of this town, met for the
choice of Representatives for the ensuing
General Assembly to be convened on the
last Wednesday of this month, agreeable to
the royal charter. — It is very probable that
G — B — wou’d have been glad to have had
the calling this Assembly further post¬
poned, as it would have served two purposes,
viz, the continuance of the present extra¬
ordinary state dissolution, and more espe¬
cially the subversion of the present constitu¬
tion of the province, to which as appears by
his late letters, he has discovered a pretty
thorough aversion. — But such a step would
perhaps have caus’d a convulsion which
would have afforded additional matter of
weighty representation on the part of the
people, which he would have found it diffi¬
cult to have answered, — previous to this
election the Selectmen of the town, attentive
to its true interest, waited on the com¬
mander of his Majesty’s troops quartered
in this town, and acquainted him, that it
was expected that the town should be in the
full enjoyment of their rights of British
subjects upon this important occasion, agree¬
able to the Bill of Rights, which declares,
that the election of members of Parliament
ought to be free , upon which the General ac¬
quainted the Selectmen, that he would not
any further conform to their expectation,
than by confining the troops to their bar¬
racks during their election, which was ac¬
cordingly done. — The town received this
declaration as a concession of the justice of
their expectation, but by no means adequate
to the extent of their constitutional right, to
have the troops removed from the town, and
therefore postpon’d the election till they had
protested that the residence of an armed
force in the town at the time of election of
members of the General Assembly, was a
high infringement of their constitutional
rights, and that their proceeding under such
a circumstance, was wholly from necessity,
and not to be considered as a precedent at
any time hereafter, or construed as a volun¬
tary receding from their incontestable right.
— After the election, they appointed a com¬
mittee to prepare instructions for the mem¬
bers they had chosen, and adjourn’d to the
8th instant.
* This last paragraph, with a hand to call attention to it, is omitted from the Journal as published in the
Boston Evening Post.
* Items from May 12 to May 19, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , Supplement , June 29, 1769, p. L
98
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
May 13
At the adjournment on the 8th instant,
the committee appointed for that purpose,
reported a draught of instructions which
were accepted by the town nemine con-
tradicente. — in these instructions, the town
direct their representatives when in General
Court assembled, to endeavour that the
debates may be free, by the removal of the
cannon, and guards from before the Court-
House, and every thing that might carry the
least appearance of an attempt to awe, or
intimidate; after which, that enquiry be
made into all the grievances we have suf¬
fered by the military power: Why they have
been quartered in the body of the town,
contrary to the express words and manifest
intention of an act of Parliament. Why the
officers, who have thus violated our rights,
have not been called to account; Whether
Governor Bernard’s appointing an extra¬
ordinary officer to provide quarters for the
troops, was not an invasion of the act of
Parliament for billeting, &c. — The professed
rule of their conduct, with design to elude
the clause of said act, purposely provided
for the convenience of American subjects
and their security against an excess of mili¬
tary power; why the repeated offences and
violences committed by the soldiery, against
the peace, and in open defiance and con¬
tempt of the civil magistrate and the law,
have escaped punishment, in the courts of
justice: And whether the Attorney General
has not, in some late instances, unduly ex¬
ercised a power of entering “nolle prosequi,”
upon indictments, without the concurrence
of the court, in obstruction to the course of
justice, and to the great encouragement of
violence and oppression, and as the quarter¬
ing troops here has proved the occasion of
many evils, they earnestly desire them to
use utmost endeavours for a speedy removal
of them. — They enjoyn upon them in the
most solemn manner, by no means to comply
with any requisition that may be made for
the defraying the expence of barracks, and
necessaries for troops, pretended to be sent
among us for the aid of the civil magistrate,
at the same time that his Majesty’s Council
and the other civil magistrates, the Governor
excepted, had declared that they neither
required, or needed their assistance, and
which appears to be sent among us to awe
and controul the civil government of this
province. — They recommend to them
another object of great importance, and
which would require their earliest attention,
the late flagrant and formal attack made by
the Governor of the province , upon the consti¬
tution itself. An attempt, not only to deprive
us of the liberties, privileges, and immuni¬
ties of our charter, but the rights of British
subjects, clearly appearing in a few of his
letters to Lord Hillsborough, authentic
copies of which have been received, and they
declare it as their expectation, that our
representatives, use the whole influence they
may have, that the injurious impressions
which they have unhappily made, may be
removed, and that an effectual antidote
may be administred, before the poison shall
have wrought the ruin of the constitution.
May 14
They observe, that it is unnecessary for
them again to repeat their well known senti¬
ments, concerning the revenue which is
continually levied upon us to our great
distress, and for no other end, than to sup¬
port a great number of very unnecessary
placemen, and pensioners; nor their expecta¬
tion that they pursue with unremitted
ardour, every measure that may tend to
procure us relief; never yielding their con¬
sent to, or connivance at the least incroach-
ment upon our rights.
The town declare, that next to the revenue
itself, the late extensions of the jurisdiction
of the Admiralty, are their greatest griev¬
ance, — and that the American Courts of
Admiralty seem to be forming by degrees,
into a system, that is to overturn our con¬
stitution, and to deprive us intirely of our
best inheritance, the law of the land; that, it
would be thought in England, a dangerous
innovation, if the trial of any matter upon
land was given to the Admiral: It would be
thought more threatning still, if the power
of confiscation, over ships and cargoes, for
illicit trade, was committed to that court:
But if forfeitures of ships and cargoes, large
penalties upon masters, and such exorbitant
penalties as the treble value of cargoes,
upon every person concerned in lading un¬
customed goods, were by act of Parliament,
to be tried by the Admiral, the nation would
think their liberties irrecoverably lost ; that
A JOURNAL oj the TIMES
99
this however, is the miserable case of North
America.
In the 41 Sec. of the statute of the 4th of
George III. Chap. 15 we find that “all the
forfeitures and penalties inflicted by this,
or any other act of Parliament, relating to
the trade and revenues of the British colo¬
nies, or plantations in America, which shall
be incurred there, may be prosecuted sued
for, and recovered in any Court of Ad¬
miralty, in the said colonies. — That this
hardship is the more severe, as they see in
the same page of the statute, and the section
immediately preceding, “That all penalties
and forfeitures, which shall be incurred in
Great-Britain, shall be prosecuted, sued for,
and recovered in any of his Majesty’s
Courts of Record in Westminster, or in the
Court of Exchequer in Scotland.” A con¬
trast that stares us in the face! A partial
distinction, that is made between the sub¬
ject in Great-Britain , and the subject in
America : The Parliament in one section
guarding the people oj the realm , and securing
to them the benefit of a trial by jury, and
the law of the land, and by the next section
depriving Americans of those important
rights^ — That this distinction is a brand of
disgrace upon every American? A degrada¬
tion below the rank of an Englishman ? And
with respect to Americans, a repeal of the
29th Chapt. of Magna Charta? “No free¬
man shall be taken or imprisoned, or dis¬
seized of his freehold or liberties, or free
customs, or outlawed, or exiled, or any other
ways destroyed, nor will we pass upon him,
nor condemn him, but by lawful judgment
of his peers, or the laws of the land.” — The
town also declares, that the formidable
power of these courts, and their distressing
course of proceedings, have been severely
felt within the year past, many of their
fellow citizens have been worn out with
attendance upon them in defence against
informations for extravagant and enormous
penalties: And that they have the highest
reason to fear from past experience, that if
no relief is obtained for us, the properties
and liberties of this unhappy country, and
its morals too, will be ruined by these
courts, and the persons employed to sup¬
port them. — They therefore earnestly recom¬
mend to them by every legal measure, to
endeavour that the power of these courts
may be confined to their proper element,
according to the antient English statutes;
and that they petition and remonstrate
against the late extensions of their jurisdic¬
tion: Not doubting the other colonies and
provinces, who suffer with them, will cheer¬
fully harmonize in any justifiable measures
that may be taken for redress. — They con¬
clude with giving it, as their clear opinion,
that the House of Representatives in any
one province, has an undeniable right when¬
ever a just occasion shall offer, to communi¬
cate their sentiments upon a common con¬
cern, to the Assemblies of any, or all the
other colonies, and to unite with them in
humble, dutiful and loyal petitions for
redress of general grievances.
May 15
Yesterday, but bejore divine service began ,
part of the town had opportunity of hearing
NANCY DAWSON from a most elegant
band of music, the French horns certainly
were inimitable. — It is some time since we
have had such a Sunday morning’s regale,
the drums and fife, being the common enter¬
tainment, and ’tis uncertain to whose taste
we owe this: Some think it the fancy of
Madam G — m, while others think that the
Justice himself conceived it might be an
agreeable relief to the wardens under the
burthen of their duty.
May 16
A girl at New-Boston, was lately knock’d
down and abused by soldiers for not con¬
senting to their beastly proposal; a gentle¬
man hearing the cry of murder, ran to her
assistance, one of the villains, immediately
made off, the other the gentleman seiz’d,
tho’ upon his stiffly denying the fact, and
charging it upon the other soldier, the
gentleman suffered him to depart; presently
after the same men assaulted a young
gentleman of character supposing him to be
the person who had rescued the girl from
their violence; their oaths, and insults
brought several people out of their houses,
upon which the soldiers made off, but re¬
turn’d a few minutes after with a number of
others, and a sergeant at their head, calling
out a riot! A riot! They then drew their
bayonets upon the people, and with many
oaths and execrations, threatning to confine
100 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
them in the barracks if they did not imme¬
diately disperse, accordingly, they began to
put their threats in execution by seizing one
of the company and drag’d him towards
the barracks, but the rest being resolute,
the soldiers were obliged to quit him; upon
which the whole dispers’d.
May 17
A woman at the north end enter’d a
complaint with Mr. Justice Ruddock against
a soldier, and some others for a violent
attempt upon her, but a rape was prevented,
by the timely appearance of a number of
persons, for protection; when the soldier
made his escape.
May 18
The public highly resent the conduct of
those persons in this town, who by an im¬
portation of goods from Britain, contrary
to the general agreement of the merchants,
have preferr’d their own supposed private
advantage to the common good of all North
America; some of them have been turned
out of the fire societies they belonged to, and
also warned out of their stores, the owners
fearing a backwardness of the people to
assist in case fire should break out near
them, — a number of their best customers in
the country, have declined a trade with
them, and taken their supplies of those who
have discovered a public spirit in this time
of danger. — Our merchants in general, are
displeased with those in Britain, who have
answered any orders from hence, and some
of them have wrote their friends, that they
shall withdraw their business from them, if
they are guilty of a like inadvertency; and
there are of our principal traders, who have
refused selling their wares to those who have
had any dealings with our late importers.
May 19
Some thousands of the following address
have been dispersed in hand billets thro’
this and the neighbouring colonies.
Fellow Citizens and Countrymen. — Inas¬
much, as some persons among us have in a
case of the utmost importance, preferr’d
their own supposed private advantage to
the welfare and freedom of America, it is
highly proper you should know who they
are, who have at this critical time sordidly
detach’d themselves from the public inter¬
est. — May this disgraceful, but necessary,
publication of their names, lead them to
reflect on the baseness of their crime; and
when they find themselves slighted and
shunned by their neighbours and acquaint¬
ance; when their shops are deserted, and
they feel their fortunes miserably impaired
by prosecuting the plan of purblind avarice;
when their guilty consciences have rendered
this life insupportable; may they seriously
attend to the concerns of another: And
altho’ they must suffer the punishment due
to their parricide in this world, may a
humble and sincere repentance open the
way to their forgiveness in the next. _
The misguided men who have imported
goods from England, since the late agree¬
ment of the merchants of this town, are,
Messrs. Natha. Rogers, Jona. Simpson,
Wm. Jackson, T. & E. Hutchinson, J. & R.
Silkridge, J. Taylor,1
May 20 2 _
We have before mentioned that one
Samuel Fellows who lately commanded a
vessel belonging to a merchant in Cape-
Ann, having behaved in such a manner in
the West-Indies, as to make it difficult for
him, to render a fair and just account of his
transactions chose an easier way of settle¬
ment, by informing the custom-house officers
upon oath, that more molasses had been
landed, than was reported; for which the
vessel, &c. was seized, to the almost ruin of
his owners. — So flagrant an instance of
baseness and perfidy, could not but intitle
him to the favour of such a set of men as
G - B - and the B - d of C - m - rs,
in consequence of which, he had a command
given him, in one of our little guarda coastas,
and was also furnished, as other such in¬
famous and inconsiderate marine officers
have lately been, with a commission, con¬
stituting him an officer of the customs, with
the power of making seizures.
Thus commissioned, and empowered, he
soon commenced hostilities against the
merchants, by stopping such vessels, as he
1 The remaining names in the list were blurred in the New York Journal for June 29.
* Items from May 20 to May 28, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , Supplement , July 6, 1769, p. 1.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
101
met with in cruises, rummaging and search¬
ing them, for pretences for a seizure, im¬
pressing men &c. &c. — Frequent advices of
his extravagancies of this sort, have been
received, but the account we have of his
behaviour at Cape-Ann, is really astonish¬
ing, and among many other instances of a
similar nature, may serve to convince
Americans, what plan has been adopted
by L - d H - Is - gh, for the bracing up
of government, and what treatment we are
to expect, so long as we are held under a
military government.
The inhabitants of Cape-Ann, had spirit
and strength enough, to have immediately
taken, punished or secured, a wretch, who
had shewn as little regard to their lives, as
to the laws of the community; but prudence
got the better of their resentment, and we
have this affair fully related in a memorial
which Mr. Tacob Parsons, the deputy
sheriff, by their desire, presented to the
Governor and Council of this province. —
Representing that on the 25th instant, he
had in his custody, having duly taken by
virtue of a process of law, one Josiah Merril,
as a prisoner: That while he was in the due
execution of his office, one Samuel Fellows,
a commander of one of his Majesty’s armed
cutters, then in the harbour of Cape-Ann,
with four of his men with fire-arms, cut¬
lasses, &c. came on shore in a boat, and said
Fellows, immediately accosted the said
Merril, by asking him, “What he did there?
Upon which, said Merril replied that, “an
officer had taken him, and had him in
custody for debt. “That in consequence of
this reply, said Fellows, commanded said
Merril, to come away to him, and that he
would protect said Merril: That on this
encouragement, said Merril broke away
from the deputy sheriff, and ran towards
said Fellows; whereupon the deputy sheriff,
commanded in his Majesty’s name, several
persons to assist in seizing and stopping
his prisoner; whom they obeyed and seized,
and held said prisoner; that while this
passed, said Fellows, who was within four
rods from the deputy sheriff, and his as¬
sistants, ordered his four men to fire: Where¬
upon two of Fellow’s men leaped upon the
beach, and ran towards them, until they had
got within two rods, when they presented
their arms directly to the deputy sheriff,
and his assistants, and then fired; the shot
and ball scarcely missing them, and entred
a store within a few inches of where they
stood: The prisoner taking advantage of
the consternation they were in, broke away
and ran towards said Fellows’s boat. That
during the whole of this time, said Fellows,
and his men, although they were repeatedly
told, that the deputy sheriff was a King’s
officer, kept a constant round of oaths, and
imprecations upon the deputy sheriff, and
his assistants; damning the King’s officer,
and all who belonged to him; swearing, he
would blow the brains out, of the first man
who offered to touch said Merril, or come
towards the boat; that they would take
better sight the next time, and the like;
that as said Merril, came nearer to the boat,
said Fellows and his men, kept firing at the
deputy sheriff, till said Fellows commanded
his men not to fire any more yet; but to
keep a reserve for any who should attempt
a retaking of said Merril. And that after
said Fellows and his men, had fired six or
seven times, by which the deputy sheriff
and his assistants were in the most imminent
hazard of their lives, the said Fellows and
his men yet defending said Merril, retired
on board the boat, and still kept firing as
they left the shore; and the sheriff has not
since been able to retake the prisoner, or
bring said Fellows to justice.
The memorialist then, implores his Ex¬
cellency and Honours, to take the affair into
consideration, and to act thereon, as they
shall deem most for the advancement of
justice, and the preservation of peace, order,
and good government, &c.
May 21
In consequence of the above representa¬
tion, his Excellency the Governor, and his
Majesty’s Council, taking the said memorial
into consideration: His Majesty’s Council
advised and ordered, that the King’s At¬
torney, make strict inquiry into the affair,
and prosecute in law, the supposed offenders.
And also ordered, that a copy of said memo¬
rial be handed to Commodore Hood, which
was accordingly done, and the Commodore
was pleased to signify that he would give
immediate orders for inquiring into the
affair, and do all in his power to secure the
person offending in so notorious a manner.
102
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
to appear and answer for his conduct in a
court of justice.
May 22
It has been justly observed. “That the
colony trade is in a measure, a system of
art and restriction; yet the very principle
may be destroy’d by multiplying to excess,
the means of securing it.” The present trade
of America has of late years, been embar¬
rassed beyond description, with the multi¬
plicity and intricacy of regulations and
ordinances; our late M — n — rs, from whom
we must exclude the Rockingham Adminis¬
tration, seem to be possessed with something
hardly short of a rage, for regulation and
restriction, they have extended to us their
several acts of Parliaments, calculated to
prevent a contraband trade with their
French neighbours, multiplied bonds, cer¬
tificates, affidavits, warrants, sufferances,
cockets, &c. and every species of custom¬
house officers, both upon the land and
water; have supported the new regulations
with such severe penalties, and extended
them without the least consideration of
circumstances to so many objects, that
American commerce is expiring under them.
Upon the first appointment of an American
Board of C — s — ms, it was trumpetted to
the merchants, by the tools of power, that
it was an institution calculated to retrieve
the trade from many of its present embarras-
ments; and that some of the colonies agents
in London, were so well satisfied, that the
residence of the C — m — rs in any trading
province would be greatly advantageous to
its commerce, as to offer in behalf of their
constituents a large sum of money, to obtain
the preferrence. — Our merchants however,
were by no means disposed to hearken to
such delusory insinuations; they considered
the project of an American revenue, to be
wholly founded upon anti commercial prin¬
ciples; and that a set of men sent among us
to support this project, and riot upon its
produce, must become as obnoxious, as the
exercise of their power would be distressing.
— Their conjectures were soon realized; to
say nothing of the haughty imperious, in¬
delicate behaviour of the B — d as men, their
whole official conduct has been such, as
lead people to consider them as the greatest
political curses that could have been sent
Among us. — This B — d soon gave being
to such an innumerable train of under
officers, &c. that the whole revenue raised
by the late duties, has been scarcely suffi¬
cient to satiate their craving appetites; but
the monies drained from our merchants,
distressing as it has been, is the least part of
our sufferings; they have, with the advice
and assistance of G — B — and the cabal,
gone into every measure that has appeared
to us most likely to cramp and lessen both a
provincial and foreign trade, by which we
have been so impoverished; that thro’ neces¬
sity, as well as resentment, our farmers and
mechanics, are lopping off many articles of
superfluities, and going into such manu¬
factures as may be carried on here to the
greatest advantage.
We have before adduced many instances
of the wanton, cruel, and strange behaviour
of our modern revenue, naval, and custom¬
house officers, all of whom are under the
influence or direction of G — B — and the
C — m — rs, also noticed the injuries included
in them. What follows carries the same
complexion.
May 23
The brig Industry, which loaded in Lon¬
don, and cleared out at the Custom-House
there, for Nantucket, where she arrived, as
the winter was setting in, applied to the
naval officer, there being no custom-house
officer fixed upon the island, who gave him
a permit to unload, which he did accord¬
ingly, and then took on board part of
another cargo, for London, and intended to
Boston, there to fill up his vessel; he had
also on board some chests of oyl, owned in
Boston, which were imported in the same
bottom; but before sailing, an officer of the
customs, appointed by the C — m — rs ar¬
rived; upon which the Capt. of the brig
immediately applied to him, with the cockets
brought from London, in order to pay duty
on some tea, which was the only dutiable
goods he had brought from London; he was
accordingly cleared for Boston, being first
obliged to give bond for paying the duty of
said tea on his arrival there, the cockets were
also sent for the inspection of the Custom-
House, where he applied for an entry on his
arrival, but was told they should not enter
her, but gave him a permit to take out the
oyl brought from London; immediately after,
by order of the C — m — rs they seized his
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
103
vessel, and what cargo she had on board,
and kept her in possession ten days, to the
great damage of the owners, but after being
petitioned several times, said vessel and
cargo was delivered up to the owners.
May 24
The master of a coasting vessel, bound to
Casco-Bay, in the eastern parts of this
province, took in by sufferance, about four
hundred of iron, and a few coils of cordage,
for the landing of which, on his arrival there,
and the producing certificates thereof, he
was obliged to give two bonds at the Custom-
House office.
May 25
Capt. Durphey, master of a vessel, owned
in the southern part of the province, on
going from Rhode-Island, to Connecticut,
with a load of fire- wood, took on board two
casks of molasses, without clearing them out,
the molasses having been legally entered,
and the duties paid upon them; but being
met with by one of our English guarda
coastas, they seized and detain’d the vessel,
and thereby obliged said master to make a
long and expensive journey to this town in
order to settle for this extraordinary breach
of the acts of trade, with the honourable the
B — d of C — m — rs.
May 26
Capt. Dean, in a brig from Green-Island
in Jamaica, was brought to and searched on
his passage, not by a Spanish, but by an
English guarda coasta; the captain of which,
on finding that the mate of the brig had
omitted clearing out his little adventure,
was pleased to seize, and take possession of
the vessel, as well as the mate’s adventure.
May 27
A petty officer of the Custom-House came
on board Capt. Freeman’s ship, lately ar¬
rived from London, and behaved in the
same insolent manner this set of men are
accustomed to; upon finding a barrel of
New-England rum, which was sent on board
for the refreshment of the people at work in
unloading, he threatened as if the ship
should be seized; they not having, as he told
them, a right to receive and keep on board
a larger quantity than six gallons.
May 28
The captains of several vessels, lately ar¬
rived in different parts of this province,
report that, they have been stopt and de¬
tained at sea by English guarda coastas and
their hatches, &c. opened, in order to search
for uncleared, or contraband goods, and
that some of their seamen had been im¬
pressed and taken from them before they
were near the land.
May 291
It is thought there are as many patriotic
members return’d for the General Assembly,
which is to meet on the thirty-first of this
month, as ever appeared in any former
House; and they are not like to be disgraced
with the company of above three or four,
out of seventeen of those unhappy men of
the last House, who are branded by their
countrymen, with the title of Rescinders;
and the return of some of these, is said to
be owing to honest confessions, deep re¬
pentance, and solemn assurances of a more
cautious, circumspect behaviour, for the
future, in their public capacity.
Salem, Marblehead, Ipswich, Newbury
and many other towns besides this capitol,
have given instructions to their several
representatives, for their conduct at this
alarming crisis; such of them as have been
published in the news-papers, are specimens
of the others, and may serve to convince
the world, that the present manly and
rational opposition to the late violent at¬
tempts upon our rights and privileges, is not
confined to a single town, but includes the
whole province.
We have also the pleasure to learn, that
the modern practice of dissolving such
Assemblies, as could not be made sub¬
servient to the views and designs of the
Ministry, has been so far from abating the
spirit of the people, in the cause of liberty,
that it has rather served to raise and in¬
vigorate it; the complexions of all the
Assemblies, lately chosen in New-England,
and the other colonies, are full as agreeable
and promising, as were those of former
years. The rights of Americans, are not now
left to be defended by a single province; a
whole continent is united in the glorious
struggle.
1 Items from May 29 to June 12, inclusive, are from the New York Journal, Supplement, July 13, 1769, pp. 1-2
104 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
May 30
The protest of the inhabitants of this
town, against the residence of a military
power among them, on the day for the choice
of gentlemen to represent them in General
Assembly, has already been inserted. — It
seems the members who compose his Maj¬
esty’s Council for this province, agreeing in
sentiments with the town, on this point;
made timely application to the Governor,
that the cannon and main guards which had
been placed directly against the Court-
House, might be removed before the day
arrived for the election of a new Council;
but we apprehend the application will be
unsuccessful, as the G — r was pleased to
read to one of his Council the paragraph of a
letter, said to be wrote by General Gage, in
answer to one on the subject, “That he did
not conceive what influence the mouths of
cannon could possibly have in the choice of
a speaker, for the House of Assembly:” —
and it is said a certain officer wittily ob¬
served, upon the complaint of one relative
to the cannon’s being directly pointed at the
Court-House; “that if the mouth of cannon
was offensive to the Assembly, they would
turn its breech to them.”
May 31
On Tuesday last his Majesty’s commis¬
sion, for the trial of piracies, robberies and
felonies on the high seas, was read, and a
court formed for the trial of Michael Corbett,
and three others, charged with being con¬
cerned in the murder of Lieut. Panton, of his
Majesty’s ship Rose: A motion having been
made on behalf of the prisoners, that they
might have the privilege of a trial by jury;
the court was adjourned to the Thursday
following, when they again met and ad¬
journed to the 29th instant; when it was
determined, that said prisoners were not
entitled to a trial by jury. The prisoners
then, by their council, filed a plea against
the jurisdiction of the court; and it having
been thought proper by the court, to take
the same into consideration, they adjourned
to the 14th of June next.
It was with difficulty, that this court was
formed, a great part of the gentlemen named
in the commission living at a distance; and
the inhabitants had the mortification to
perceive, that the whole of his Majesty’s
Council of this province, who had been
included in all former commissions, was
excluded from the present; while, not only
the Council of a neighbouring colony, but
even pro. temp, collectors, helped to con¬
stitute this court. For such an indignity
thrown upon this ancient and loyal prov¬
ince, it is known we are obliged to the
generosity and prudence of G — r B — d:
The particular motive which influenced to
the exertion of those virtues for so laudable
a design, is thought to be this. Towards the
close of the late war, when burdens were
very heavy upon the people, they learnt
that considerable sums of money due to the
province, by decree of the Court of Vice
Admiralty, as the thirds of forfeitures upon
seizures, were unjustly detained; upon which
a number of the inhabitants, petitioned the
General Court, that measures might be
taken for the recovery of those dues; upon
which a committee was raised of both
houses, to consider said petition, who re¬
ported; that wrong had been done the
province, and that the treasurer should be
empowered, and directed to demand pay¬
ment, and on refusal thereof, to bring an
action, or actions at common law, for re¬
covering the sums due, for the use of the
province; this report was accepted by the
House, and concured by the Council, and
after several messages had passed, consented
to by the Governor, though sorely against
his inclination. — In consequence hereof, a
suit was commenced against his favourite,
and manager, C — s P — x — n, Esq; M — sh — 1
of the C — t of A — I — y;1 but by some means
or other, which might with more truth than
prudence be related, all the measures for
recovery were baffled, and the monies still
rest in other hands than those of the prov¬
ince treasurer. — The Council through this
whole affair, were too just, to prefer the
interest of a favourite, to that of a whole
province, and thereby brought upon them¬
selves the resentment of a B — r — d; and the
first discovery of its effects was made in the
next commission for a special Court of Ad¬
miralty, from which the whole Council was
1 Charles Paxton, Esq.; Marshal of the Court of Admiralty.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
105
excluded, and only the names of a L — t G — r,
S — c — ry and J — e of A — y appeared.
June 1
N the 21st of last month, Capt. Willson
with the detachment of the 59th Regi¬
ment, sailed for Halifax; that officer
is now out of the reach of the laws of this
province; but the conduct of the King’s
Attorney, relative to the military in that
and other instances, has been highly dis¬
gustful to the people; and the representa¬
tives of Boston, and other towns, are in¬
structed by their constituents, to use their
influence, that a parliamentary enquiry may
be made into those matters.
June 2
The next day, when the 14th Regiment
were mustered in King-Street at roll-call, a
fray happened between two little boys about
seven years old, which as usual, gathered a
crowd of people; several persons going
through the street were oblig’d, in order to
avoid the crowd, to pass near the right wing
of the regiment; for which daring intrusion,
four persons were successively struck down
by a drummer. — The battle of the boys
naturally produced a larger one between
some of the inhabitants, when a constable
interposed, to preserve the peace; — one of
the soldiers gave the word to hustle the con¬
stable, immediately upon which, his hat and
wig were struck off, and he was toss’d about
from one to another, tho’ he repeatedly
cried, he was a King’s officer in the execution
of his duty; some of the inhabitants being
near, he called to them for their assistance,
and many of them readily went to his as¬
sistance; upon which the battle became
general, and the constable, and his assistants
were much abus’d by the soldiers. Some of
the officers of the regiment were present,
none of whom offered to interpose, till Col.
Dalrymple came into the street, and being
told what had happened, he quickly dis¬
pers’d the soldiers, — since which they have
not met in King-Street, but in the Common
for the business of roll-calling. — It is said
one of his Majesty’s Council perceiving the
first reforming magistrate in the street when
the quarrel began, went to him, and mo¬
tioned his taking proper measures to quell it;
but the reformer only shruged his shoulders,
and went off.
June 3
On Wednesday the 28th of said month,
all endeavours to bring about a private
composition having been honestly rejected,
a warrant was issued by his honour the Chief
Justice, against Samuel Fellows, mention’d
in this Journal, for having forcibly rescued a
prisoner from the sheriff of Gloucester. The
day after the deputy sheriff of this county
had received the warrant, he with the com¬
plainant, waited upon Commodore Hood,
to acquaint him with it, and desire he would
permit him to serve it upon said Fellows,
who was then on board the Commodore’s
ship. The Commodore told him he would
order said Fellows ashore, and desired him
to wait upon him again at a particular hour,
which the sheriff did. The Commodore then
told him, he had sent for said Fellows, and
that he desired a longer time, in order to
procure bail; and further told him, if he
would wait upon him again the next day,
he would have him ready. — The sheriff
went again the next day, and for fear of
another delay, carried with him two persons
to be witnesses of his demand. The Commo¬
dore asked him if he had any thing against
said Fellows, besides the chief justice’s
warrant? He told him he had a writ from a
gentleman in town, for a debt due from said
Fellows. The Commodore, then said “if
that is the case, he shan’t come ashore; I’ve
no intention to stop a legal prosecution, but
I won’t deliver the man up to private re¬
sentment.” The sheriff told him, he knew
of no private resentment, that his writ was
for a just debt. The Commodore said he
should not enter into an argument on the
subject, and shew’d the sheriff the door. —
Not a little surprised at this unexpected
treatment, the sheriff went immediately to
the chief justice, who was at the Bunch oF 1
Grapes tavern at dinner, with the G — r and j
C — m — rs, and calling his honour into
another room, acquainted him with what
had pass’d, at the Commodore’s. His
honour then call’d in the Governor, to whom
he communicated the matter. The Governor
then ask’d to what amount the debt against
Fellows was, he told him about £20 sterling,
he desired to see the writ, which was shewn,
and after looking at the account, he ask’d
his honour, if he did not imagine it was
trump’d up in order to make it exceed £20
106
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
sterling. — His honour replied that Mr.
Inches (whose suit it was) was a gentleman
of character and reputation, and would not
be guilty of a thing of that kind. It was then
agreed that his honour should wait upon the
Commodore; and he appointed the sheriff
to meet him there, which he did, and after
waiting some time (during which his honour
and the Commodore, were in conferrence)
the said Fellows was produced, and the writ
and warrant were serv’d upon him. The
Commodore giving security for Mr. Inches’
debt, and Mr. Robert Hollowed deputy
commissionary of the customs, and John
Rowe, Esq; of this place merchant, were
bail in £50 each for his personal appearance
at the Superior Court for the County of
Essex, to answer the criminal prosecution.
June 5
Our English divines are agreed in senti¬
ment, relative to the morality of the Christian
Sabbath, and this town from its beginning,
has been remarkable for a strict observation
of the Lord’s day. — On the first arrival of
the troops, the sober inhabitants were
greatly grieved, that the military parade
and music could not be dispensed with, or at
least lessened on those days; they were
sensible what unhappy effects, it would have
on the minds of our inconsiderate youth,
and the lower class of people: All applica¬
tion for a redress of this grievance, has been
ineffectual; disorders upon the Sabbath, are
increasing; our wholesome laws cannot be
executed upon the soldiery: The last Lord’s
day, our Common was covered with great
numbers of people, some of whom were
diverting themselves with horse-racing, &c.
in the very presence of our wardens.
June 7
On the 29th of last month there was a
great consumption of powder on board the
men of war in this harbour, a display of
colours, &c. and the soldiers quartered upon
us, appeared with oak leaves in their hats. —
Upon enquiring into the cause hereof, we
were told, that it was in commemoration of
the preservation of King Charles the Second,
who when flying from the victorious troops
of the Parliament, took shelter, and re¬
main’d conceal’d from his pursuers, in the
trunk of a large oak tree. Happy has it been
for the princes, who have succeeded the
family of the Stewarts, that they have al¬
ways found in the hearts of their subjects a
security, which we may be assured they will
not be disposed to relinquish for all the
alluring and flattering baits which despotism,
ministers, and favourites can throw out.
June 8
An advertisement of James Murray, Esq;
has appeared in the several papers, which
charges the author of these Journals “with
making him a traitor, a rebel, and drunkard:
and calling upon him to unmask, and sup¬
port his charge in public or in private, at his
own option, or stand convicted of being an
infamous liar, and a scoundrel, as also the
publisher of a false, scandalous, malicious
and seditious libel.” The public may be
assured, that tho’ we are not intimidated
with the airs of a draw cansir> we do nol
however, look upon ourselves obliged tc
stand forth to public view in propria persona
tho’ so politely invited to it by no less <
personage than his worship. — We have
before declared to the public, that we shal
be ready to support the truth of what we
have related, whenever called upon, or witl
pleasure correct any mistakes, that may have
escaped our pen: With respect to our re
forming magistrate, we did assert, “that
one evening his knees were seen to smite on<
against the other, which presently aftei
buckled under him, whereby he received <
fall, which excited the pity rather thar
laughter of the beholders.” This is true ir
fact, and will be proved so by the oath of i
creditable witness or witnesses, when legally
called upon; if Mr. Reformer, after applying
to the person who he lighted into the street
with a pipe in his mouth, should not thinl
it needless; we did not however set hin
down for a drunkard , notwithstanding thi
or any equivocal circumstances; but onb
intimated, that it really became those, wh<
set themselves up for reformers , to take gooc
heed to their ways lest slips of this sort
should expose them to the censure anc
ridicule of all such as oppose themselves t<
reformation; as also the impropriety of em
ploying a lax unbraced magistrate in thi
arduous work of bracing up government. —
The advertiser, by filling up our guttet
words, has charged us, with calling him ;
A JOURNAL of the TIMES 107
traitor and rebel , when those words not¬
withstanding, might be only intended to
represent him as a tory, rascal , or almost any
thing else: We are not however, at any loss
to account for so much seeming severity , to
himself: This sagacious gentleman, had not
been long among us, before he perceived
that men of the most infamous characters had
been most noticed by a B — d, — Nay, he had
even lately seen a letter of his to Lord
Hillsborough, advising of his having ap¬
pointed Mr. Murray, a reforming magis¬
trate; and that he had told a counsellor who
objected his unpopularity, that if his character
had been the reverse , should not have nomi¬
nated him to the office; might not this
magistrate therefore very justly argue, that,
the more unpopular and odious he could
make himself appear, the more likely he
should be to obtain the further preferment,
he was seeking for from such an A — n — as
the present.
And will not this clearly account, not only
for the conduct of this intruder, in opposing
himself to the general sense of the people, from
the time of the Stamp Act to this day; but
for that of a few others, who by a most irri¬
tating and provoking behaviour, have seemed
to invite upon themselves, some marks of
public resentment, upon the merit of which,
they might ground an application for posts
and pensions? — It is well that this game
appears to be almost up, and that some of
the most notorious of those seekers, are
come to the end of their tether. It is to be hoped,
that for the future, the true characters of
men will, be more regarded by A — d — n,
and that such as have gained the goodwill
and confidence of their fellow citizens, by a
prudent, upright, and benevolent conduct, will
be thought more proper persons to fill up
osts of honour and trust, than those who
y a contrary behaviour, have justly forfeited
it; then and not till then, may we expect
such representations will be made by the
servants of government, relative to the senti¬
ments and behaviour of a loyal people, as
will gain them the esteem and favour of their
sovereign, then will our troubles cease , and
our divisions close, and that much wish’d for
union and harmony, between Great-Britain,
and her colonies, be restored, upon which the
security and welfare of both, doth under
Providence so much depend.
June 9
The character given in sacred writ, of a
true magistrate is, “that he beareth not the
sword in vain;” by this we suppose it is
intended, that he never fails to execute the
good and wholsome laws of a community,
upon all such as shall dare to violate them:
But it seems our modern justice does not
conceive of these words, in so confined a
sense; otherwise it cannot be supposed,
whatever may have been his provocation,
that he would publicly intimate a readiness
to draw a sword in oppugnation of the laws
which he has been sworn to maintain.
Whether a duel will however, be realized in
this, or any other colony, we pretend not to
predict; but this we are told, that a spirited
inhabitant of the town, has left word with
the publishers of his advertisement, that he
shall be ready to gratify the reformer, by an
appearance at the time and place, which he
shall think proper to appoint for the purpose
of proving to his masters, that they have
pitch’d upon a very suitable officer to com¬
mand in a St. George’s Field engagement. —
We would however, by no means, be thought
to encourage any illegal rencounters on our
behalf; whenever we are properly called
upon, we hope we shall manifest to the
world, that the pen is not the only weapon
we can make use of, in support of constitu¬
tional government, and the rights of Ameri¬
cans.
fume 10
All the insults and provocations, which
the inhabitants of this town are daily re¬
ceiving from the soldiery, cannot be inserted;
such as we from time to time notice, may be
sufficient to manifest to the world, the
severity with which this town has been
treated, for daring to distinguish them¬
selves, in the support of the just rights of
Americans, and how much a loyal and
prudent people can bear, before they pro¬
ceed to extremities.
June 11
A young man, an apprentice to a -
- - - 1 happening to be looking
1 Three or four words are blurred in the New York Journal.
108 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
over a fence on a small hill, near the As¬
sembly room, in order to take a view of the
company there dancing; a centinel who had
been placed at the door, came behind him
and gave him a blow on the head, by which
he was struck to the ground, and suffered a
great loss blood; the soldier’s pretence for
this violence, being, that he had been spat
upon, by one on the hill.
June 12
A married neice of a distinguished ship
builder in this town, returning home in the
evening, was followed by some officers, who
treated her with great rudeness, before she
could recover the shelter of her uncle’s
house.
June 13x
The last night, a corporal belonging to the
company of the train of artillery, who had
for some time kept as a mistress the wife of
a sea faring man, who sailed out of this port;
came with a number of armed soldiers to the
house of one Mr. Draper, of this town, hav¬
ing heard that the husband of the woman he
had kept was there; he pretended that this
woman had been beat and ill used by the
husband for keeping his company, and in¬
sisted upon his being shewn to him; — the
master of the house remonstrated against
this riotous proceeding in vain; nay, he was
struck and put in fear of his life for so doing,
as was also his wife and aged mother. Hav¬
ing searched the house, they found the man
they were looking for, whom they dragged
into the street, and with their weapons beat
in so cruel a manner, that had not the cry
of murder brought a number of the in¬
habitants to his assistance, which obliged
the soldiers to make off, he might have been
killed in the scuffle. — This behaviour of the
corporal and his party, is the less to be
wondered at , since they had heard that the
K i ng' s- Attorney , had entered a nolle prosequi
on a bill found by the grand-jury against
Lieut. M — r, for entering a house in the
night in the same riotous and unlawful
manner; and that the soldiers who joined
him in the attempt, upon throwing them¬
selves on the favour of the C — t, escaped the
punishment which it was thought their
crimes had justly merited from the hands of
justice.
June 14
A worthy old gentleman, the other morn¬
ing discovered a soldier in bed with a
favourite grand-daughter: The aged parent,
in the height of his astonishment, ordered
the soldier immediately to quit the room;
but he absolutely refused; saying she was his
wife, and he had an undoubted right to her,
and that if he went out of the house he was
determined to carry her with him: Upon
examining further into the matter, it was
found that the soldier had found means to
ingratiate himself with one of the family,
and had by her aid seduced the girl with the
promise of marriage; that accordingly, one
evening as the girl informs, he carried her
to a house in town, where as she thought,
they were married by a person drest as a
priest. This discovery has greatly distressed
the unhappy parents, and thereby much
impaired their healths. — But how must it
increase our detestation of the present
measures, to find that not only the magis¬
trates of this metropolis are insulted with
impugnity, but that the most dear and
tender connections must be broken and
violated. We would not wish to draw in¬
vidious comparisons; but surely if in the
arbitrary reign of a Stuart , the quartering a
standing army in time of peace upon the
inhabitants of a town was deem’d a griev¬
ance, — what must it be at the present day,
when English liberty is so much boasted of?
But it seems the Americans are refactory, and
can claim no title to the privilege of British
subjects: This assertion with the reasoning
upon it, may serve to blind the eyes of our
fellow-subjects in Great-Britain, from whom
the true state of things is with-held as much
as possible, lest the thorough knowledge
thereof should rouse that naturally humane
and generous nation, to take ample venge¬
ance on those enemies of the Constitution,
who have been the authors of those scenes of
public and private distress.
June 15
We hear that General Mackay, has seen
fit to give out orders, forbidding horse
racing, &c. in the Common on the Lord’s-
day, by any under his command; and that
the soldiers should not be permitted to walk
the streets during the time of divine service,
1 Items from June 13 to June 25, inclusive, are from the New York Journal, Supplement, July 20, 1769, pp. 1-2.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
109
a practice which had been very disagreeable
and inconvenient to the inhabitants.
June 16
The late resolves of the Virginia Assembly
are regarded with veneration; they do
great honour to themselves, and give spirit
to the other colonies. We see in these, the
same sense of justice and value for the con¬
stitutional rights of America, the same
vigour and boldness, that breath’d thro’ the
first resolves of that truly honourable house,
and greatly contributed to form the free
and generous spirit in which the colonies are
now one. There is a peculiar generosity in
the resolve, relating to the revival of the
severe and absolute statute of Henry 8th,
by the late extraordinary resolutions of
Parliament, — as this was pointed not
directly against themselves, but another
colony. — Massachusetts ought long to re¬
member this obligation — and as common
sense dictates that each colony should feel
for its neighbours under those severities to
which all are exposed; there will, there must
be a reciprocation of such kind of colonies,
to the disappointment and confusion of
those who wish to divide and enslave us.
June 17
After being deprived for almost a year,
in perhaps the most troublesome and dis¬
tressing time we ever saw, of the direction
and support of our grand provincial Council,
or General Court: At length the Governor
has called one to meet in this town, in which,
besides the ships of war in the harbour,
there are three regiments and a train of
artillery, the main guard with mounted
cannon close to the door of the Court-House.
— It has already been observed in this
Journal, that upon the landing of the
troops, the chamber in which the House is
held, was for a considerable time changed
into barracks for lodging the soldiery. Ihe
Governor has not appeared at all to interest
himself for the removing or even abating in
the smallest circumstance, of what cannot
but be regarded as the grossest and most
pointed insult ever offered to a free people
and its whole legislative. — The House be¬
fore they proceeded to the choice of a
speaker, remonstrated upon this head to the
Governor, justly esteeming it inconsistent
with their rights and dignity as a free As¬
sembly, to proceed to the elections before
them, amidst the noise of drums and fifes;
and while they were surrounded with armed
men, sent under a pretence indeed of aiding
the civil authority, but in reality to enforce
ministerial measures and mandates. — The
Governor refused to receive their remon¬
strance, or to consider them as an house till
they had chosen a speaker: They protested
against the grievance of the military power
placed so near them, and then unanimously
elected the speaker and clerk of the former
house, and renewed their remonstrance to
the Governor. — He replied, that he had no
authority over the military; and every cir¬
cumstance complained of remained the
same. It is generally supposed, that accord¬
ing to charter, the election of counsellors
can be made upon no other day than the
last Wednesday in May. From necessity
therefore, the House after a second protest ,
proceeded with the Council to the election
of counsellors. — The electors were so firm
in the principles of former assemblies, that
the crown officers, about which so much has
been said, were not chosen , while those whom
the Governor had negativ’d last year were
re-elected; they indeed considered it as a
point of no small importance that their
choice should be free and not dictated by any
Governor — and that the legislative and
executive departments in government, should
be kept as separate as may be. Out of
twenty-eight duly chosen, and presented to
the Governor, he was pleased to negative
eleven. Thus that important department of
government is weakened , and we have a just
specimen of G B’s. prudence and disposition
to compose the public troubles. He has in
a great measure created these troubles, and
he preserves an uniformity of character, in
exerting himself to continue and increase
them. — No one denies his constitutional
right to negative counsellors; but still he is
accountable to his royal master and the
public, for the manner and ends of exercising
this right. When he first began to negative,
he suffered it to be known and understood
as a mark of resentment towards the electors
for omitting to choose the L — t G — r, secre¬
tary, and judges; and that he would continue
to negative such as should be chosen in their
room. This the Assembly in general has
110 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
justly deemed the most open and violent
attack upon the freedom of their election , ever
made by any Governor, and to fall little
short of a claim to nominate the persons to
be chosen: They have therefore adhered
from year to year with a noble firmness to
their own right , and maintained their free¬
dom, for which they have the thanks and
applause of their country. The Governor
has seen fit to be as constant to his own rash
and arbitrary resolution. With the same
spirit he has continued to act respecting
the troops. The House have made a solemn
pause, and refused for more than a fortnight
to enter upon public business, while sur¬
rounded with arms and cannon pointed close
to the doors of the house in which they sat;
every one knows that if he has not authority
to command their destination, his influence,
had he chose to employ it, would easily have
removed the most disagreeable and irritating
circumstances of their situation: Tho’ the
House had decently remonstrated to him
upon this point as the head of the civil de¬
partment, this in his opinion was not suffi¬
cient; he waited to be asked to become a
kind of intercessor for the House with the
General. They deemed this below their
dignity. — They claimed and would not
implore of a military officer, especially thro’
such a mediator, what they esteemed the
right of the legislative ; and because they
would not descend to this humiliating cir¬
cumstance - - - - 1 civil de¬
partment , of which he himself was the head,
by making it give way to the military , and
adjourning the court to Cambridge. — The
very night after this adjournment, the can¬
non were remov’d from before the court¬
house, as tho’ it had been design’d that this
circumstance should not appear to be done
from any regard to the Assembly. — Who
can forbear to admire the wisdom and
justice of Administration, in esteeming such
a man the most proper to manage the King’s
affairs in a great and important colony, and
in rewarding his services, that have so much
contributed to bring Britain and America
into their present happy situation.
June 18
On the 5th instant, the happy anniversary
of the birth of our most gracious sovereign,
was celebrated by the honourable House of
Representatives of this province; they chose
to meet in their own room on the evening of
said day, rather than at the Council Cham¬
ber; that the presence of our Governor
might not throw a gloom unbecoming the
occasion. A number of his Majesty’s Coun¬
cil, and the clergy of the province, together
with many of the principal merchants and
gentlemen of the town, were present by
invitation, and the following toasts were
drank. The KING, QUEEN, and ROYAL
FAMILY. — North-America. — The res¬
toration of harmony between Great-Britain
and the colonies. — Prosperity and per¬
petuity to the British empire in all parts of
the world. — The Marquis of Rockingham,
and the glorious administration of 1766. —
Duke of Richmond. . — Lord Chatham.
— Lord Cambden. — General Conway.
— Lord Shelburne. — Lord Dartmouth.
— The late Governor Pownal. — Col.
Barre. — Mr. Burke. — Dr. Lucas. —
Paschal Paoli and his brave Corsicans. —
The Cantons of Switzerland. — The King
of Prussia. — The King of Sardinia. — The
distressed Poles. — Their high mightinesses,
the States General of the Seven United
Provinces. — The Farmer of Pennsylvania,
and all American patriots. — The Repub-
lick of Letters. — Liberty without licen¬
tiousness to all mankind. —
- - i June 19
On Tuesday his Excellency Governor
Wentworth, with several of the Council of
that province included in the Commission
for the trial of piracies, felonies, &c. on the
high seas arrived in town. — The next day
the court was opened according to adjourn¬
ment, for the trial of the persons charged
with the murder of Lieut. Panton, of his
Majesty’s ship Rose. The plea against the
juristiction of the court was not admitted,
and the court proceeded to the examination
of witnesses &c. The trial did not end until
the Saturday following, when a decree was
given in, justifiable homicide, and the pris¬
oners set at liberty. The noble president of
the court, Sir Francis Bernard , during the
course of this lengthy trial gave so many
1 Three or four words are blurred.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
111
proofs of his impartiality, tenderness and
ability, as a judge, as were truly admirable.
And could not but convince the court and
others, that he bid as fair to outstrip a
Jefferies, as he has confessedly done an
Andros in the character of a governor.1
June 20
By Captain Hall, lately arrived, we have
it from the best authority, that about the
10th of April positive orders were issued
from Lord Hillsborough’s office, for requir¬
ing Governor Bernard, immediately to re¬
pair to London; and from the same author¬
ity we are told, he will never return to this
government. Those few among us who are
of G. B’s cabal, would be inconsolable for
the loss they pretend the province must
sustain by the recall of a Governor, in their
opinion so well disposed and adapted to
allay heats, compose differences, and to
promote the real interest of both countries;
had they not been flattered into the belief
that it was wholly owing to an apprehen¬
sion) that his presence was absolutely neces¬
sary at the Court of Great-Britain for a few
months at least, not only to report to Ad¬
ministration the true state of affairs, but to
advise and assist a young American S — y in
the disposal of offices, and a wise and popu¬
lar discharge of the duties of his important
station. — However, we as well as the gen¬
erality of people account for the recal of
this infatuated and infatuating man in a
very different manner. It is known that the
M — y are now plunged, and that the unto¬
ward and embarrassed situation of things
with respect to the colonies and themselves,
are chiefly owing to his machinations. — It
appears to be chiefly upon his representa¬
tions relative to the temper and conduct of
this people, that the M — y have grounded
their late unhappy measures respecting the
colonies: They now seem to be sensible of
their mistakes, and greatly suspicious of
G. B. having deceived and abused them , as
well as the province; we therefore think it to
be as probable as it is a rational conjecture
that his presence in London is required, in
order to his supporting the truth of what he
has written and alledged against this govern¬
ment; or in case of failure, to receive from
his abused sovereign, the just rewards of all
1 The last sentence is omitted from the Journal as j
his evil devises against as loyal and consti¬
tutionally obedient a people as can be found
in any part of his wide extended dominions.
June 21
Upon the receipt of the last mail from
New- York, we had the pleasure, to hear that
the town would very soon be cleared of the
troops now quartered among us: General
Gage having received orders by the packet
for the removal of the 64th and 65th Regi¬
ment, with the train of artillery to Halifax;
the 29th Regiment to the Castle, and the
14th Regiment to New-York. But we have
now the mortification to be told, that G. B.
and the C — m — rs pretending a fear of their
lives if the troops should be removed from
the town notwithstanding several of them
have their seats in the country which they
daily visit without the least insult or molesta¬
tion being given them, have applied to
General Gage for the continuance of the
latter regiment: It is also rumoured, that
the C — m — rs in order to countenance the
G — r for having advised General Mackay
to stop this regiment for the present, have
preferred a petition to Governor Bernard,
signed by themselves and about forty of
their creatures and dependents, praying that
he would use his influence with the com¬
manding officer, that the said regiment may
be suffered to remain in town for the pro¬
tection of their persons and properties from
the rage and violence of the inhabitants —
From the past conduct of G. B. and the
cabal it is not unlikely that they have taken
this step, as nothing seems to afford them a
greater pleasure than an opportunity for
doing that which has a tendency to provoke
and irritate the people, if haply they may be
thereby betrayed into a behaviour which
shall injure their characters with the King
and his ministers.
June 22
Last evening at half after 11 o’clock, the
watchmen of the town hearing a disturbance
in the street went out to know the cause,
when they found two sergeants of the 29th
Regiment quarrelling with some of the
town’s people; upon asking the cause of the
disturbance, they were answered with,
drawn bayonets, and threatened that unless
they immediately retired, they should be
blished in the Boston Evening Post , August 7, 1769.
112 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
sent to h — 11. — However, the watchmen
were not to be intimidated with high words,
and a number of the inhabitants appearing,
the soldiers were obliged to decamp, under
the shelter of a certain retailer of spirituous
liquors, who pretended to be an officer.
June 23
A sloop arrived here from New-York, and
brought 95 soldiers who belonged to one of
the regiments which is to return home.
These recruits are far from being sufficient
to fill up the vacancies made in the several
regiments quartered among us, by disser-
tions; which notwithstanding the utmost
care and vigilance of the officers, have been
so numerous as fully to evince the impolicy
of their having been quartered in this town,
had no other inconveniences arisen there¬
from.
June 24
It is to be hoped that the shocking fate
which the Lieut, of the Rose lately met with
on board a merchant ship, and the actions
now commenced against several who acted
under, or were concern’d with him on an
attempt as illegal as it was rash and in¬
jurious, will be a sufficient caution to the
commanders of our guarda-costas, and the
little marine custom-house officers, which
like insects have lately swarmed from the
Commissioners, not to exert a power in the
impressing of seamen or searching of vessels,
which the laws have never given them.
June 25
On Wednesday last the 65th Regiment
began to embark from Castle-Island, on
board the Rippon and Rose men of war, and
yesterday they sailed for Halifax. — It is
the wish of this people, that the troops
which still remain may soon be more use¬
fully employed, and in places where they
may be made, consistent with the honour
and interest of the townsmen, more welcome
than at present they can be in the town of
Boston.
June 26l
Last Friday morning, Brigadier General
Pomroy, who has commanded the King’s
troops here, thro’ the winter, set out for
New-York, in order to embark in the packet
for England; and altho’ it is considered by
the province in general, as the greatest in¬
justice and insult that this brave and loyal
people ever experienced, the having troops
quartered upon them for the purpose of
quelling a rebellion that never had existence,
and for keeping good order in town, that is
second to none for due obedience to all con¬
stitutional laws; and however irreconcile-
able they ever will be to a standing army or
a military government: We are yet free to
acknowledge that the conduct of this officer
during his residence here, has done honour
to the army, and that as a gentleman he was
well respected.
June 27
It comes to us from good authority, that
the reason why the military parade on
Lord’s days has not been laid aside, or at
least the music omitted in complaisance to
the application made to General Pomroy,
by the Selectmen, and the earnest desire of
the sober inhabitants of this town, was not
owing to a want of disposition in that gentle¬
man to gratify and relieve, but to a want of
power to supercede the order and regulations
of a superior officer.
June 28
A gentleman from Roxford, a town in this
province, writes, that, “Mr. Joseph Robin¬
son, of this town, had a ewe that brought
him four lambs this spring at a time, which
are all alive and like to do well: They all
suck the ewe, and look as likely to live as
any lambs he had seen this year. The same
ewe brought three lambs at a time last
spring, and raised up two of them. As an
increase of sheep will prevent our sending
home for woollen goods; we may quere, —
Whether G. B. will not inform L-d H - Is
— gh of this instance of fecundity, and earn¬
estly recommend another regiment of sol¬
diers being sent, in order to have our rams
castrated, or else to cause a duty to be laid
upon them.
June 29
In one of the men of war which sailed for
Halifax, Jonathan Sewall, Esq; Judge of
Admiralty for that province, embraked: It
is said the design of his voyage is to appoint
1 Items from June 26 to July 5, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , Supplement , July 27, 1769, p. 1.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
113
deputy judges for Halifax and Quebec;
after which he is to return to Boston, the
^resent scene of action, for all who have
isted under the banners of corruption ! What
benefit a province can reap from a non¬
resident’s salary of £600 per annum, when
all his deputies can do the business for about
the sixth part of that sum divided among
them, we leave to our oeconomical Ministry
to point out. Our province must however
certainly esteem itself highly favoured, that
this foreign judge has so long after his ap¬
pointment acted among us in the several
characters of Attorney-General, Advocate-
General, &c. and discerning people cannot
but highly applaud the wisdom of our
superiors in multiplying posts and pensions
in America, and making the expence of
government in the new settlements and
colonies, bear a goodly proportion to the
civil establishment of the mother country.
June 30
The public know not which to admire at
most, either the gratitude or late influence
of G. B. It being confidently reported, that
the sole merit of a newly created J — e of
A — y, with a salary of £600 per annum,
was his being an assistant to that G — r in
writing a set of papers in vindication of his
conduct — which not long since appeared
in one of our prints, subscribed Philanthrop
— When we observe in what manner the
public monies have been lately turned upon
the little creatures of a court, may not
Americans fairly conclude that the present
national debt, is in the opinion of the present
administration a national benefit.
July 1
SLOOP owned in this town, James
Brown, late master, who dying on his
passage from North-Carolina to Gi¬
braltar; the mate, one James, took the com¬
mand of her, and by direction of the master,
altered the intended voyage to the coast of
Barbary for mules, and proceeded to a
Spanish port for a load of salt, from whence
she was returning to Boston, but being met
with by one of our little guarda costas, who
found five or six quarter casks of wine, not
more in quantity than was sufficient for sea
stores, besides a few frails of figs and al¬
monds, the whole being the seamen’s ad¬
ventures: For this extraordinary breach of
trade, she was seized and taken possession
of by this custom-house commander, who
has since libell’d the sloop wines, &c. and is
now harrassing the owners with a trial in our
Court of Admiralty. — Upon the first ap¬
pointment of a Board of Commissioners it
was asserted that the protection of the
merchant was intended, but every part of
their conduct convinces us nothing less is
intended: — The owner of this vessel gave a
full representation to the Commissioners of
all circumstances and made it clearly ap¬
pear, that no fraud was intended, but that
the mate supposed the wines might be ad¬
mitted to an entry, or he would never have
suffered them to have come on board; not¬
withstanding this, the Commissioners in¬
formed him, that they could not interpose,
but must refer him back to the Capt. a
creature of their own making, as the only
proper person to treat with, and may we
not from hence felicitate a trading people,
that the propriety of stopping, unloading,
detaining and libelling vessels or cargoes, is
to depend so often upon the judgment or
caprice of these new created voracious and
floating custom-house officers.
July 2 _ _
Not long since we related the behaviour
of one Fellows, another of the late marine
custom-house officers, towards Mr. Parsons,
deputy-sheriff for the county of Essex, who
was divers times fired upon by four or five
people with ball and swan shot by order of
Fellows, with a design to rescue a person
who the sheriff had taken for a debt, which
was finally effected. VVe also informed, that
upon the sheriff’s application to the Gov¬
ernor and Council, the King’s-Attorney was
directed to prosecute this marine, alias
custom-house officer for his attrocious of¬
fence. — We now learn that he was brought
upon trial at Ipswich court, and that the
said Fellows, at first pleaded not guilty, but
afterward waved his plea, and was allowed
to say (or plead) that he would not contend
with our sovereign lord the King, &c. a
favour not usually granted in cases of im¬
portance, and to such high handed offenders.
— He was then sentenced by the honourable
the Superior Court to pay the sum of fifteen
pounds lawful money, but before the court
114 BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
was ended, it is said the Chief Justice took
out of his pocket a petition of the said Fel¬
lows, for an abatement, when five pounds,
out of the fifteen pounds fine, was remitted
him. — 1 At the same court several persons
said to be in company when an infamous
creature at Newberry, called an informer,
was tarred and feathered, but not fired upon
or in any other way put in hazard of his life,
were sentenced in no less sums than 20, 30
and 40 1. respectively — We presume not to
remark upon the conduct of the judges in
these or other instances; shall only say that
the good people of the province are greatly
alarmed, and that the General Court intend
making it a subject matter of their inquiry
the present session.
July 3
On Tuesday morning the 27th June, a
woman going to the south-market for a fish,
stopt at the shop of Mr. Chase, under
Liberty-Tree, appearing to be faint, they
got some water, but on raising her up she
died instantly. A jury of inquest was sum¬
moned, and upon examination she appeared
to be one Sarah Johnson, of Bridgewater, on
whom it appeared by evidence and several
marks, that violence had been perpetrated
the 24th inst. by soldiers unknown, which
probably was the cause of her death. —
Several physicians who were called in upon
the occasion, declared, that upon examining
the surface of the body, they observed
sundry livid spots, which evidently demon¬
strated violence; and from the combined
appearances, upon opening the body, they
were of opinion that she had been recently
ravished, and had resisted to the utmost;
and that the over exertion of her strength,
might probably terminate in a syncope or
faintness, which they thought might be the
immediate cause of her death.
— July 4
On Monday last, one T - z P — — k, an
ensign of the 64th Regiment, observing a
woman standing near the door of her house,
made up to her, and after using a great deal
of fulsome language and attempting some
indecencies, she made her escape and got
inside of the door, which she shut against
him; he however followed her, and finding
the door fastened on the inside, attempted
to force it open, but not being able to do it,
he went off, swearing he would return again;
and on the Wednesday night following he
was good as his word, the said woman being
sitting at her chamber window, he accosted
her, by calling her his “sweet angel, and
desiring her to come down and let him in;
the husband who is a person of character,
being in the same room, and hearing one
speak in the street, asked his wife who it
was, she told him it was the same impudent
fellow that had attempted a few days before
to break open the door; upon which he im¬
mediately ran to the window and asked him
what he wanted: — I want says he, that
angel at the window; the gentleman replied,
she is my wife: I don’t care whose wife she
is, returned he, for by G — d I’ll have her in
spite of all the men in the country if you are
her husband, by G — d you shan’t keep her
long, and if you don’t put your head into
the window immediately, I’ll be d — d if I
don’t blow your brains out. — The gentle¬
man tried to keep his temper, and told him
unless he retired immediately he would
apply to a magistrate and have him pun¬
ished for his temerity; upon which the brave
officer redoubled his threats and curses,
swore by G — d such a d — d ugly fellow as he,
was not fit to have such a wife, and he would
take her away from him at all events, for
which purpose he would tarry in town till
next summer, and would sacrifice him tho’
death was the consequence, with abundance
of other scurrilous abusive treatment; which
at length provok’d the husband so much,
that he took a loaded pistol which was in
the room and attempted to fire it at him,
but was prevented by the fright and in¬
treaties of his wife: Mr. Ensign at last went
off, and the next day the gentleman applied
to a magistrate for a warrant, by virtue of
which the offender was taken and obliged to
give bail in £200 lawful money, to answer
for his conduct at the next sessions of the
peace. -
July 5
On Thursday evening last, a dispute arose
near the town-dock between a soldier and a
1 The remaining portion of the item for July 2, is omitted from the "Journal as published in the Boston Evening
Post .
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
115
sailor, when the former very couragiously
drew his hanger and struck the latter, who
was entirely unarmed; but a good natured
female standing near, put a stick into the
sailor’s hand, with which he so belaboured
his antagonist, (notwithstanding he made
several strokes at him with his hanger) that
he obliged him to sheer off with considerable
damage to his hull; he is since haul’d up in
hospital to repair, and it is imagin’d it will
be some time before he is fit for service.
July <51
We have frequently had occasion to ob¬
serve and point out the impolicy, not to say
injustice of the late acts for raising a revenue
in America; when this is discerned by those
who have the lead in Administration, it may
perhaps be too late to apply a remedy for a
cure of those disorders which their rashness
has occasioned. — The duties laid upon
paper, by the late Revenue Acts, has served
as a bounty to encourage our paper manu¬
factures; those rags and materials of which
paper is composed, are now carefully saved
from the fire and dunghill, — the period
cannot be very distant, when we shall have
as little occasion to import that manu¬
facture, as we at present have those of sithes
and other implements of husbandry, which
are now made use of in preference to those
made in England.
A tax upon painter’s colours, has set a
whole continent to explore their hills and
mountains in consequence of which we have
discovered, and now actually make use of a
red and yellow ocre, superior in quality to
what was imported from England. — Oil is
extracted from our flax-seed, not only for
our own consumption, but for exports;
white lead so necessary for the painters,
which it was imagined could not be obtained,
has been made in Boston, equal in goodness
to the British; and if the fairest prospect
should not deceive, a mine of lead, not far
from water carriage, owned by a gentleman
of property will be quickly worked to such
advantage as to afford a full supply of that
article for all the painters in America. Man¬
ufacturers of pipes, delph glass, linen and
woolen wares are set and setting up in this
town, and while the ministers of the British
court are postponing a repeal of the Revenue
Acts and a redress of grievances, until as
they say it can be done consistent with the
dignity of Government, and so as not to
weaken the supreme authority of Parlia¬
ment; Americans are laying a most solid
foundation for their future grandeur and
felicity, by greatly increasing their growth
of hemp and flax, and multiplying their
flocks of sheep; spinning schools are opened
and filled with learners in Boston and other
parts of the province; and the following
articles of intelligence, out of many others,
may serve to show the progress of industry,
and what methods are taken to countenance
and encourage so laudable and beneficial an
employment. —
July 9
We are informed from Dorchester, that
about sixty of the fair sex in that town,
assembled at the house of the Rev. Mr.
Jonathan Bowman, with wheels, and the
greater part of them with flax, and spent
the day there in the much to be recom¬
mended and encouraged business of spin¬
ning. The order in which they were ranged
on the green, before the house, at which
they met; the decent behaviour, pleasantry,
and industry, visible among them in the
work of the day, gave sincere and singular
pleasure to the numerous surrounding spec¬
tators of this and other towns. About sunset
the wheels ceased going, and the reels and
combs made use of by others, were laid
aside: And the many skeins all well spun;
at the aforesaid house, together with those
sent in on that day, are enough, as is judged
to make eighty yards of cloth, more than
three quarters wide. — Provision for the
repast or entertainment of the ladies, was
freely sent in and gratefully accepted; as
was the work of their hands.
July 10
We are also informed from Beverly, that
last Tuesday, very early in the morning,
sixty young ladies of various ages, belonging
to that town, assembled at the house of the
Rev. Mr. Champney, with their spinning
wheels, flax, and cotton wool, and entered
1 Items from July 8 to July 17, inclusive, are from the New York Journal , Supplement , August 24, 1769, p. 1.
Apparently there were no items in the Journal for July 6 and 7. The Boston Evening Post , August 21, 1769, closes
its item of the Journal for July 5 with the statement “No further of the Journal is yet come to hand.”
116
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
upon the business and design of their meet¬
ing together, — with pleasure and spirit,
with skill and dexterity, and so spent the
day with great application. The music of
their wheels ceased only for their refresh¬
ment; — No uneasiness appeared among
them for the whole day. — They spun one
hundred twenty knot skeins, which they
generously gave to him and family, as also
considerable cotton and flax, for want of
time to spin them.
July 11
We hear that eighty-three industrious
young females, met at the house of the Rev.
Mr. Robbins, in Milton, where they spent
the day in the delightful employment of
spinning, and at sunset, what was spun and
presented, amounted to four hundred and
sixty skeins, excluding tow; about half of
“them spun their yarn at the rate of 140
knots to the pound, which was done in¬
comparably well; and sixty weight of thei
flax, was, of Mr. Robbins’s own raising.
July 12
They write from Braintree, that a number
of young ladies met at the house of the Rev.
Mr. Weld, in that place, and according to
the laudable practice in many other parts,
spent the day in spinning; and generously
gave both their labour and yarn; — and
what is especially remarkable, a young miss
of 9 years old wound off her two double
skeins, excellently well spun, — a good omen
for the times. — An example of industry
well worthy the ambition of others.
July 13
We are informed from Ipswick, that the
young ladies of a parish called Chebacco, to
the number of seventy-seven, assembled at
the house of the Rev. Mr. John Cleavland,
with their spinning wheels; and though the
weather that day was extremely hot, and
divers of the young ladies were but about
thirteen years of age, yet by six o’clock in
the afternoon, they spun of linen yarn four
hundred and forty knots, and carded and
spun of cotton seven hundred and thirty
knots, and of tow six hundred, in all 1770
knots, which make 177 ten knot skeins, all
good yard, and generously gave their work,
and some brought cotton and flax with
them, more than they spun themselves, as a
present; and several of the people were kind
and generous upon this occasion. And it
may be worthy of noting, that one spun of
good linen yarn, 52 knots, and another of
cotton 60 knots, it being carded for her. —
After the music of the wheels was over, Mr.
Cleaveland entertained them with a sermon,
on Prov. xiv. 1. Every wise woman buildeth
her house; but the foolish plucketh it down
with her hands: — which he concluded by
observing, how the women might recover to
this country the full and free enjoyment of
all our rights, properties and privileges,
(which is more than the men have been able
to do) and so have the honour, of building,
not only their own, but the houses of many
thousands, and perhaps prevent the ruin of
the whole British empire, viz. by living
upon, as far as possible, only the produce of
this country; and to be sure to lay aside the
use of all foreign teas, also, by wearing, as
far as possible, only clothing of this coun¬
try’s manufacturing.
July 14
We hear from Wenham, that early in the
morning, there came a number of young
women, to the house of the Rev. Joseph
Swain, with flax, wool, and wheels, in ordei
to spend the day in spinning, which they die
till 6 o’clock P. M. with cheerfulness, dis¬
cretion and industry. Their diligence anc
industry, in the business of the day, wil
appear by comparing the number of spin¬
ners, and the quantity of yarn spun. The
spinners were in number 38; the quantity o
yarn was 75 run; all which they generousl)
gave to him and family, besides a consider
able quantity of flax and wool, which wa:
left unspun.
July 15
We hear that a number of young ladie:
belonging to Mr. Haven’s parish in Dedham
lately made Mrs. Haven a visit, and pre
sented her with 102 skeins of good yarn
mostly linen: each skein containing 20 knots
which they had before spun at their severa
homes, and of their own materials. Thei
professed design was to encourage industry
and our own manufactures, and to testify
their affectionate regard to their minister
and to his family; which many of the fai
sex in several towns, have lately been doing
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
117
They preferred this method of doing it, to
that of carrying their wheels and flax to
their minister’s house to spin there; as they
hereby avoid much trouble and parade, and
had an opportunity for a more pleasant
visit, and free conversation, and to animate
one another to a course of persevering in¬
dustry and frugality, which is necessary to
save our country from impending ruin. The
disposition which they discovered was ap¬
plauded and encouraged, and their gratuity
thankfully received.
On the 12th of July, the good women of
the second precinct in Brookfield, — true
daughters of liberty & industry, stimulated
by their fair sisters, met at the house of the
Rev. Mr. Forbes, to the number of fifty-five,
with thirty four wheels; and from 5 o’clock
in the morning, to 7 in the evening, picked,
carded, and spun, of cotton wool and tow,
762 knots, and a few threads; and of flax,
hatcheled and spun 936 knots and 35
threads, all which they generously gave to
Mr. Forbes. The young lady that excelled
at the linen wheel, spun 70 knots: And
among the matrons there was one, who did
the morning work of a large family, made
her cheese, &c. and then rode more than two
miles, and carried her own wheel, and sat
down to spin at nine in the morning; and
by seven in the evening, span 53 knots, and
_went home to milking. As the cool of the
evening came on, about five o’clock, they all
descended from the chambers and rooms of
the house, into the front yard, on the green;
where, with their buzzing wheels, innocent
chat, neat and decent apparel, (chiefly
homespun) friendly activity, and the very
perfection of female harmony, made a most
agreeable appearance. The next day, and
for several succeeding days; others as well
affected to their minister and the cause of
liberty and industry, but could not leave
their families to join their sisters on the said
day, sent in their forty knots each, spun out
of their own materials: — A very striking
example to generosity and public oeconomy.1 2
July 16
Newport. July 10. We can assure the
public, that spinning is so much encouraged
among us, that a lady in town, who is in
very affluent circumstances, and who is
between 70 and 80 years of age, has within
about three weeks become a very good
spinner, though she never spun a thread in
her life before. — Thus has the love of
liberty and dread of tyranny, kindled in
the breast of old and young, — a glorious
flame, which will eminently distinguish the
fair sex of the present time, through far
distant ages.
July 17
We are informed that two vessels have
lately arrived at Falmouth from Scotland,
the design of the owners was to purchase
their cargo of lumber, with British manu¬
factures, as had been usually done but the
inhabitants of that town, having came into
the agreement relative to non-importation
of foreign merchandize; The loading of those
vessels could not be procured with any thing
but the money. — The colonies can supply
themselves with almost every necessary for
wearing apparel , the large sums which Britain
has annually drawn from us, should be placed
to the account of our luxury and extravagance ,
rather than to our wants; were we but wise and
frugal, silver and gold would soon flow in upon
us, as pay for our fish, oil, lumber, and other
commodities , required at European markets.
July 18*
We shall continue to hold up the actions
of our military gentry, not merely for the
information of Americans, but that the
people of Britain may perceive the wisdom
of Administration, in appointing such a set
of men as aids de camps to the civil magis¬
trates, in the execution of the laws and
conservation of the peace.
July 19
A respectable tradesman of this town, re¬
turning home one evening through Boarded
1 The items from July 9 to July 16, inclusive are omitted from the Journal in the Boston Evening Post , Sep
tember 4, 1769, p. 1. The following is inserted in italics: "(Here follows a long account of several spinning matches
of the female sex, particularly at the house of the Rev. Mr. Bowman of Dorchester; — at the Rev. Mr. Champney’s
of Beverley; — at the Rev. Mr. Robins’s in Milton; — at the Rev. Mr. Weld’s in Braintree; — at the Rev. Mr.
Cleaveland’s in Ipswich; — at the Rev. Mr. Swain’s in Wenham; — at the Rev. Mr. Haven’s in Dedham; — at
the Rev. Mr. Forbes’s in Brookfield; — and at Newport, Rhode Island; but as these have already been published
in the news paper here, we think it needless to reprint them again).”
2 Items from July 18 to July 24, inclusive, are from the Boston Evening Post, September 25, 1769, p. 1.
118
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
alley, was without the least provocation,
knocked down by a grenadier of the 29th
Regiment; he soon came to himself, and
having recovered his cane, was quietly
walking off; but soon perceived was followed
by the same soldier, who he called upon to
stand back, but this not being regarded he
made so good a use of his cane, as to protect
himself from any further abuse for that
time; however, it seems this fellow, who had
that night got a terrible drubbing from other
persons whom he had insulted, took it in his
head to lay the whole of what he had re¬
ceived upon the beforementioned tradesman,
and having met him about a fortnight after¬
wards, near the Common, tho’ before sunset,
he dared to assault & wound him with his
bayonet, in a most cruel manner, a number
of soldiers looking on, and had it not been
for the timely assistance of some of the
inhabitants passing by at that time, he
would probably have been murdered: This
person was confined to his house a consider¬
able time, by means of the wounds received.
The soldier had a bill found against him by
the grand jury, but this being suspected
before it was given in, the criminal deserted,
or rather was concealed for a time, and then,
as is supposed, conveyed away, as others
had been before him, out of the reach of the
law, which must have fallen heavy upon him.
July 20
A young man was standing in the street
some evenings past, as Capt. M — h was
passing, a stick which this officer said he
flung at a dog, struck the young fellow, and
occasioned some altercations, the Captain
soon drew his sword, and made a stroke at
the other, by which he was wounded; the
people soon gathered, and might have
treated the officer with as little ceremony,
had not he immediately sought and found a
shelter in a gentleman’s house, not far from
the scene of action.
July 21
As a captain of a vessel was standing by
his street door, he heard the cries of two
ladies, whom some soldiers were treating
with great rudeness; he did not fail to ex¬
postulate & then threaten, for which he was
knocked down and much hurt by the soldiers.
July 22
An officer of the navy came into a taylor’s
shop in the day time, accompanied by
several soldiers, when pretending he had
been affronted, he drew his hanger, and beat
in a cruel manner, a young fellow who was
setting on his board, notwithstanding all the
intreaties of his father, who was present, a
number of people rushing into the shop,
obliged this hero and his party to decamp
and march off with precipitation.
July 23
Last evening as two women of unblem¬
ished reputation, one married, the other
single, were returning home about nine
o’clock, from a visit, they were stopped in
the street, near the brick meeting-house, by
an officer, who insisted upon waiting upon ^
them home, upon being told they were near '
home, and had no occasion for company, he
began to use very foul language, and finally,
in a very courageous, and soldierly manner,
took his leave, with about a dozen smart
strokes of a rattan, upon the shoulders of the
unmarried and defenceless lady.
July 24 _
Some Sabbaths past, as the guards, placed
near the Town-House, were relieving, there
was a considerable concourse of people,
chiefly boys and Negroes to partake of the
entertainment given by their band of music;
the wardens having by their laudable exer¬
tions dispersed the rabble, soon perceived
that Mr. John Bernard, our Governor’s
second son, had made one among them, and
still kept his standing; upon which they very
civilly accosted him desiring that he would
walk off, lest his being suffered to remain,
should give occasion for their being taxed
with partiality in the execution of their
trust; Mr. Bernard then seemed to be walk¬
ing away, when Capt. M — s — h, who com¬
manded the guard, called to him, desiring
that he would come into the square, where
he should be protected from the wardens;
the young man accepted of so pressing and
polite an invitation; but the wardens called
to him as he was going into the square, pray¬
ing him to desist, as they would otherwise
be put to the disagreeable necessity of re-
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
119
turning his name to a magistrate, the Mon¬
day following; upon this the officer of the
guard, in a sneering manner, called upon the
musicians to play up the Yankee Doodle
tune, which compleated the conquest of the
military, and afforded them a temporary
triumph. The wardens made good their
promise, and discharged their duty, by
entering a complaint with a magistrate,
against Mr. Bernard, for breach of Sabbath,
when he was convicted, and punished
agreeable to law.
July 25 1
A country butcher who frequents the
market, having been in discourse with one
Riley, a grenadier of the 14th Regiment,
who he said had before abused him, thought
proper to offer such verbal resentment as led
the soldier to give him a blow, which felled
the butcher to the ground, and left other
roofs of his violence. The assaulter was had
efore Mr. Justice Quincy, convicted and
fined, and upon refusing to make payment,
was ordered to goal; but rescued out of the
hands of the constable, by a number of
armed soldiers, in the sight of the justice,
when they carried their rescued comrade, in
triumph, thro’ the main street to his bar¬
racks, flourishing their naked cutlasses,
giving out that they had good support in
what they were doing, and that they defied
all opposition. — The inhabitants were
greatly offended at this audacity of the
military, and the call was very general, that
the posse commitatus might be raised in
order to recover the prisoner out of their
hands; this was not a little alarming, even
to the General himself, he apprehended,
from the resentment of the people, and tho’
he was to have embarked in the Rippon man
of war in a few days, he immediately laid
aside the thoughts of it. — It being soon
given out, that the soldier thus rescued had
deserted, or was taken out of the way in
order to prevent a discovery in the course
of tryal of those who had encouraged so
illegal and dangerous an attempt: The
friends of peace and order advised the
constable and one of his assistants, who was
also wounded, to proceed immediately to
Cambridge, in order to make representation
to the General Assembly, who were then
just upon rising, of the behaviour of the
military, which they accordingly did; when
the House of Representatives, after giving
them a hearing, appointed a committee to
examine into this matter, and transmit the
state thereof to their agent in London.
Affidavits were accordingly taken, but
not in the Bernardinian manner, exparte ;
some of them are here inserted, that the
world may have the most authentick proof
in what manner the civil magistrate has
been assisted by those modern conservators
of the peace.
EDMUND QUINCY, of Boston, in the
county of Suffolk, Esq; and one of his
Majesty’s justices of the peace for the said
county, deposeth, that on the 13th day of
July current, at Boston, aforesaid, Jonathan
Winship of Cambridge, in the county of
Middlesex, victualler, came into the office of
the deponent, and complained in his Maj¬
esty’s name, that he had been assaulted and
beat, the same day, by John Riley, a grena¬
dier of his Majesty’s 14th Regiment of Foot,
in said Boston; the complainant at the same
time, producing full evidence of the assault
and battery; that on the same day, by force
of a warrant, issued by the deponent, the
said John Riley, was by Peter Barbour, one
of the constables of the town of Boston,
brought to answer to the said complaint, and
pleading guilty, was by the deponent fined
in the sum of five shillings to his Majesty,
and ordered to pay costs of prosecution, and
to stand committed until sentence be per¬
formed; that pleading his inability to pay
his fine and costs, was indulged till next day;
a serjeant of the company, one John Phillips,
becoming responsible for the return of the
offender into custody, in default of payment;
— that the said serjeant did the next day,
at the hour appointed, return the said
offender to the office of the deponent, the
abovementioned constable being there ready
to receive him; that the said offender being
asked whether he was ready to pay his fine
and costs, returned for answer, “ he would
not pay it ,” whereupon the deponent said to
the offender, that he must then commit him:
Soon after which, while the deponent was
writing a Mittimas, the said offender at¬
tempted to wrest himself out of the hands of
1 Items from July 25 to July 30, inclusive, are from the Boston Evening Post, October 2, 1769, pp. 1-2.
120
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
the said officer, then having hold of him in
the said office, and in the attempt, very
suddenly forced himself, with the officer into
the street; after which the deponent going
to the door of his office, and seeing the
hostile approach of (as he apprehended)
about 20 grenadiers and other soldiers, many
if not most of them armed with cutlasses,
swords and other instruments of death, and
the same handling in a menacing manner,
went to the door of his said office, and com¬
manded the said soldiers to disperse them¬
selves, but as a non-compliance with the
order was soon visible, the deponent imme¬
diately said to Mr. Ross, (a lieutenant of the
company of grenadiers of the beforemen-
tioned 14th Regiment) who just before
entered the office that he desired he would
order those men to their barracks, and after
a most urgent repetition of the request, the
deponent received for answer, from the said
Mr. Ross, that he did not know what to do
with them, or words of similar import; but
after hearing that the constable was
wounded, the said Lieutenant Ross went,
and (as the deponent was soon after in¬
formed) ordered those soldiers who still
remained before the office, to disperse and
go to their barracks. — The deponent
further saith, that the prisoner, John Riley,
through countenance and aid of the said
grenadiers, and other of his Majesty’s sol¬
diers, was rescued from the hands of Justice,
and has ever since been so concealed, that
as the deponent verily believes the officer
has not been able to retake him.
EDMUND QUINCY.
Suffolk, Boston, July 24 1769. Ed¬
mund Quincy, Esq; before named, appeared
before us, two of his Majesty’s justices of
the peace for the said county of Suffolk, and
made oath to the truth of the before written
affidavit. Taken in consequence of an order
of the Honorable House of Representatives
of this Province, to perpetuate the Re¬
membrance of the thing.
Before me, RD. DANA, Justice of the
Peace, and of the Quorum.
BEL. NOYES, Jus. of the Peace.
I Peter Barbour, one of the constables of
the town of Boston, testify and say, That on
the 13th day of July inst. a warrant was
committed to me the deponent, by Ed.
Quincy, Esq; one of his Majesty’s justices of
the peace for the county of Suffolk, against
one John Riley, a grenadier in the 14th
Regiment, for assaulting and beating one
Jonathan Winship a butcher, usually at¬
tending the public market; by virtue of said
warrant I took into my custody the said
John Riley, and carried before the aforesaid
justice, who, upon a full hearing of the case,
ordered the said John Riley, to pay a fine of
five shillings, lawful money, and costs, and
to stand committed until the said sentence
should be performed; but the said John
pleading his inability to pay the fine and
costs, was indulged, till the next day; — a
serjeant of the same company, John Phil¬
lips, by name, becoming responsible for the
return of the said Riley into custody the
next day, in default of payment; and on the
next day the said John Riley, was by the
said Serjeant Phillips, bro’t before the said
justice, where the said Riley refused to pay
his fine and costs; whereupon the said justice
said he should be committed to prison; and
whilst the said Justice was making out a
mittimus to commit the said Riley to goal,
one Lieutenant Ross of the said regiment,
came into the said justice’s house; and upon
the said Riley’s saying he would neither pay
the fine nor go to goal, the said Lieut. Ross
turned himself to the said John Riley, and
bid him go; upon which said Riley attempted
to retire out of the house, and I endeavored
to stop him, and seized him by the collar,
and held him until the said Lieut. Ross
rushed in upon me and broke my hold,
whereby the said Riley escaped, and got out
of the doors, notwithstanding all I the
deponent, with my assistance could do to
prevent it: I immediately followed the
prisoner to the door, and as soon as the said
Riley had got out of the door, he drew his
cutlass and struck me upon my head, which
blow brought me down upon my knees. I
then said to the prisoner, for God’s sake
don’t strike me again, but the said Riley
immediately struck me another blow, upon
the head with his cutlass, which bro’t me to
the ground, which was the last thing I knew
for a considerable time; and further I the
deponent say not.
PETER BARBOUR.
Sworn to as the First.
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
121
I Jeremiah Belknap, of lawful age, testify
and say, that on the 14th day of this inst.
July, as I was passing thro’ dock square, I
saw a number of soldiers, (the names to the
deponent unknown) armed with broad
swords, some of which soldiers I then heard
say, damn him, we will wait for him; when
after being absent about a quarter of an
hour, and returning the same way to my
house, the deponent saw a number of sol¬
diers standing before the door of Edmund
Quincy, Esq; one of the justices of the peace
for the county of Suffolk, where one John
Riley, as I soon after understood, was then
convened for breach of the peace; which
soldiers the deponent apprehends and verily
believes to be the same he had heard say in
dock-square, aforesaid, damn him, they
would wait for him, and as the deponent
passed by the said soldiers he heard them
say that the said John Riley should not be
carried to goal; upon which the deponent
turned to some of the inhabitants, who stood
near, and told them there was like to be a
riot and desired them to hinder it, by sup¬
porting the civil officers in the execution of
their office, and then went to the justice’s
window, where he was called upon by the
constable to assist him, the deponent then
went into the justice’s house, and told the
said justice that there was like to be a riot
at his door, for those soldiers that were
standing there had swore (in his hearing)
by God, that the said Riley should not go to
goal; upon which the said justice turned to
Lieut. Ross, an officer in the same company,
to which the said Riley belongs, and desired
him to take care of his men, in order to
prevent a riot; the said Ross answered he
could not, and immediately gave way, upon
which the said Riley made towards the door;
then Peter Barbour, the constable aforesaid,
declared the said Riley should not go, and
laid hold of him, in order to prevent his
escape: The deponent then endeavouring,
by order of the said constable to assist, and
prevent the said Riley from escaping was,
with the constable forced out of the justice’s
door, where the same soldiers, as he believes,
with drawn swords, rushed upon us, &
struck at those who were endeavouring to
aid and assist the said constable in the
execution of his office, by one of which
strokes the deponent was much wounded
by being cut in his hand; and the deponent
further says that the soldiers around the
justice’s door were about 20, with arms, viz
cutlasses, &c.
JEREMIAH BELKNAP.
Sworn to in the same manner as the first.
July 28
I John Loring of Boston, Physician, of
lawful age, testify and declare, that being
on the 14th day of July, current, near his
dwelling house in Cornhill, about 3 o’clock
P. M. observing a number of the grenadiers
of the 14th Regiment, following and insulting
a country butcher as he was riding on his
cart, which stopping a few rods from said
house, the deponent went near the cart and
heard the butcher talking to the soldiers,
desiring them to let him go about his busi¬
ness, when Col. Dalrymple came by and
asked what was the matter. The butcher
got off his cart, and with his hat in his hand
told him he was insulted by the soldiers, who
hindered him from going about his business;
and that one of the regiment yesterday had
knocked him down, the Colonel said to him,
“you are a damned scoundrel, you was
saucy, they served you right, and I don’t
care if they knock you down again,’’ and
directly walked away; the soldiers took off
their hats, and exultingly said, there’s a
noble gentlemen, do you hear what the
noble gentleman says, the deponent then
went into Mr. Justice Quincy’s office, and
told him he was apprehensive of a riot, and
desired him to go out and disperse them, he
went out and spoke to them but to no effect;
soon after, Lieut. Ross of the grenadier
company of the 14th Regiment, being sent
for by one of the soldiers, came to the said
office, the deponent standing near the said
office, among the soldiers, and hearing them
very abusive, and swearing that Riley the
prisoner should not be carried to goal, went
into the office and told Lieut. Ross what the
soldiers said & threatened; his answer was,
I can’t help it, other persons particularly
Mr. Justice Quincy spoke to him to the
same effect, and he gave like answers; in a
few minutes after, the prisoner being by the
door of said office, near said Ross, and at¬
tempting an escape, was seized by the con¬
stable Barbour, who commanded assistance;
122
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
a number of swords were immediately
drawn by the soldiers in the street, and Mr.
Jeremiah Belknap coming into the office,
with the blood running from his hand, the
deponent again spoke to the said Ross, and
asked him how he could stand by and see
such outrageous behaviour, and he an¬
swered, what would you have me do, I
can’t help it; the deponent then left them,
some body telling him the constable was
wounded, the deponent found said constable
with a cut on the forehead and the blood
following very freely from the wound, and
going to his own house for proper dressings,
saw said Ross in the street, and told him
the constable was for aught he, the deponent
knew, dangerously wounded, and the said
Lieut. Ross answered him, “I am sorry, but
can’t help it,” and further saith not.
J. LORING.
Sworn to in the same manner as the first.
July 29
I Edward Jackson, of Boston, of lawful
age, testify and say, that on the 14th instant,
July, between 2 & 3 o’clock P. M. I saw
about 12 soldiers together, on dock square,
and hearing of Mr. Winship’s being knocked
down the day before by a soldier, I went to
said Winship, and told him I believe they
were consulting some mischief against him,
and advised him to go home immediately;
upon which he got into his cart, and as he
was riding along, these soldiers hollowed
after him & followed him, upon which he
stopped against Justice Quincy’s, and the
soldier who had assaulted him the day be¬
fore, challenged him to fight; upon which
Mr. Winship said he never struck any body
in his life, and never desired to fight with
any body; while he was speaking, Col.
Dalrymple passed by, I advised Mr. Win¬
ship to speak to the Colonel and acquaint
him with the treatment he received from his
men, he accordingly went up to Col. Dal¬
rymple in a respectful manner, and ac¬
quainted him he had been abused; the
Colonel replied with a raised voice, that he
was an impudent rascal, and that he had
not been abused half enough, & if he did not
lick him he would, upon which one of the
soldiers replied, that the Colonel was a
gentleman, and that they would not take
it as they had done; another soldier said,
they, meaning the inhabitants, would not
be easy till they lost a leg or an arm.
EDWARD JACKSON.
Sworn to in the same manner as the first.
July 30
I Stephen Greenleaf, of lawful age, testify
and declare, than on the 14th instant, as I
was standing by Mr. Gardner’s shop, be¬
tween the hours of 2 and 3 o’clock, I saw a
number of people coming up the street
fronting dock-square, and went to see what
the matter was, and saw one Riley, who had
been taken up the day before for knocking
down a butcher, named Jonathan Winship,
going to Mr. Justice Quincy’s, a number of
other soldiers accompanying of him, the said
Winship was also with them, and one of the
soldiers was challenging him to fight, the
said Winship replied, that he never struck
a man in his life, and never intended to, and
the said Winship seeing Col. Dalrymple
passing by went up to him, in a respectful
manner, and acquainted how he had been
abused by one of his men the day before,
upon which Col. Dalrymple inquired of some
of the soldiers, what was the occasion of his
abusing the man, the soldier made some
reply, which the deponent could not hear,
upon which the Colonel said to said Winship,
that he was a damned rascal, that he had
not been beaten half enough, and speaking
to the soldier, he said knock him down again
if he (meaning Winship) abused him; if he
did not he would, upon which he passed off,
and soon turning about said, understand me;
soon after this, I saw the prisoner, viz. John
Riley, coming out of Mr. Justice Quincy’s,
with a drawn sword, and uttering these
expressions, take me, take me now if you
dare , upon which a number of other soldiers
drew their swords, and said also, take him ,
take him now if you dare; upon which the
prisoner went off in a triumphant manner,
flourishing his sword: — About half an hour
after this, as I was passing by Mr. Payson’s
shop, the retailer, in which were a number of
soldiers, among whom was John Riley, afore¬
said, who seeing Mr. Barbour the constable
passing by, drew his sword, and said, there
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
123
is the sword that did the jobb, damn his
eyes, I wish I had cut his head wholly off:
And the deponent further declares, that he
apprehends that there was to the number
of 20 soldiers, at Mr. Justice Quincy’s door,
all armed, when the said Riley went off.
STEPHEN GREENLEAF.
August 71
N the letters of Governor Bernard, to the
Secretary of State, not long since pub¬
lished, and some more lately arrived,
we have a true picture of the man drawn
by his own hand. — Never did a minister of
state receive, even from the lowest servant
of the crown, such a budget of little malicious
stories, of inflammatory details, and gross
misrepresentations. Never did the Gov¬
ernor of a great and respectable province,
sink so far beneath his character, as this
letter writer has done, and so totally forget
what he ow’d to candour, to truth, to his
own station, to the people whom he gov¬
ern’d, and from whom he had been enriched,
to the honour and service of his sovereign,
and the interest of the nation, at a very
critical season. The man is now held up to
public view in his true colours, to whom the
misunderstanding between Britain and her
colonies, is more owing than perhaps to any
other person, tho’ he has not been without
base coadjutors and mercenary tools. Not
content with relating plain important facts,
and leaving Administration to judge of
them, which is all that a man of common
candour and humanity would have done,
considering the severe inclinations of the
Ministry, and the delicate situation of the
town and province, he has heap’d up and
disguised little incidents to irritate and
inflame: He has reported as facts, what
never existed: He has given a malevolent
turn to what is true; and not only suggested
the most violent, distressing, and uncon¬
stitutional measures; but has laboured to
shew, by a series of misrepresentations, that
such measures are absolutely necessary. He
has aim’d the most false and malignant
aspersions, not only at particular characters,
but the most respectable bodies of men; at
the Council, the Selectmen, the Overseers,
and the Justices of the town of Boston. In
the course of business with these bodies, he
has meanly tamper’d with particular mem¬
bers, as appears from his letters, endeavour¬
ing to draw out something that might be
dropt in a debate, by individuals to one
another, in a private manner, in order to
furnish matter of representation to the
Ministry; and when he could not find fault
with the determination itself, — He has in¬
sinuated that it might proceed from the
basest motives. In these, and innumerable
other instances, he has acted the part of an
infamous pimp to a Secretary of State, who
instead of encouraging, ought to have known
himself dishonoured and affronted, by hav¬
ing such accounts addressed to him, even if
they had been true. His representations of
the town of Boston, and the disposition of
its inhabitants, and particularly his asser¬
tions of a design form’d to seize the Castle,
are beyond example, false and abusive; —
But his rancor is not confined to this town;
it extends to the whole province, to its
charter privileges, and the rights of America,
which he has employed every base method
in his power to destroy; he has plainly
signified in his letters, his inclination, that
not only the judges, but all the justices thro’
the colonies, should hold their commissions
during pleasure; which must at once destroy
the grand security, which the British Con¬
stitution gives, for the free and impartial
administration of justice. — With respect to
the charter of this province, he expressly
says, that the destruction of it is an event
devoutly to be wished. — And yet such
meanness was this man capable of adding
to his malignity, that just before authentic
copies of his letters were received, he re¬
peatedly declared to the honourable speaker
of the House, and other gentlemen of char¬
acter, that he was a sincere friend to the
province, and its charter privileges; that he
had never wrote against either, and if he
were at liberty to shew his letters, their
candour and moderation must be acknowl¬
edged by all. — His whole conduct has been
of a piece with his letters, and both demon¬
strate how totally unqualified, he was, to
sustain any department of government with
1 The following item is from the New York Journal , Supplement , November 30, 1769, pp. 1-2. The heading
is “continued from No. 1393, Sept. 14.” This item is not printed in the Boston Evening Post whose last item is
July 30 and does not have “To be continued.”
124
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
honour, and to promote the true service of
the crown. — We have already remarked
upon his behaviour in the General Court, as
far as the adjournment to Cambridge. —
This adjournment had the effect which
might naturally be expected from it. — In¬
stead of abating, it raised the tone of the
Assembly. — The contempt with which he
had treated their just remonstrances, and
the inclination he had so plainly discovered,
to keep up every mark of superiority and
insult in the military, over the legislative of
the province, served to convince them more
of the necessity of supporting their consti¬
tutional rights: and furnished matter of
irritation to men already warm’d with a
high sense of liberty. — In all their replies
they could not avoid holding up the opinion
they had formed of him, as a determined
enemy, to the rights of this, and indeed of
every colony: And his speeches, his letter,
and his conduct, demonstrate to all the
world the justice of this opinion. Full of this
idea, and knowing that he was soon to em¬
bark for England, and that he had already
been paid as Governor, till August, they
suspended the grant usually made at the
beginning of the year, upon which no doubt
his heart was much set, and which it is
tho’t he was weak enough to expect: —
They passed a new set of spirited resolves;
they refused to make any provision for the
military, introduc’d into the town of Boston,
not only without the call, but contrary to
the sentiments and declarations of the civil
magistrate, and quartered there, in the teeth
of an act of Parliament, and proceeded to
vote articles of complaint against the
Governor, and a petition for his removal
from the government: — In all these pro¬
ceedings of the House, there was great
unanimity, and they were supported by the
almost universal sentiments of their con¬
stituents. — At length, the Governor, after
a speech, in his usual strain, prorogued the
Court to January, — whether in this he
meant to affront the Lieutenant G — r, in
whom he shewed so intire a confidence, by
preventing, as far as he was able, his meeting
the Assembly, whatever occasion might
offer, within six months; or whether this
step was concerted between them, we pre¬
tend not to determine: It is however certain,
that such long prorogations at so critical a
time, as they tend to prevent a true idea of
the state of things from being seasonably
placed before the British government and
nation, can never promote the true service
of his Majesty, or the tranquility of his good
subjects. -
Governor Bernard, a year before his de¬
parture for England, had received hints
from the Ministry, that his presence in
London would not be disagreeable; but
foolishly disregarding this soft language, he
was now obliged to obey positive orders. —
He gave up with a heavy heart, the hopes
he had entertained of enjoying a good share
in the American revenue, besides his salary
and perquisites as Governor, under the
security of a military power. — Upon his
departure every demonstration of joy was
to be seen in his government, in which all
America partook. — Whatever may be his
first reception at home, impartial history
will hang him up as a warning to his suc¬
cessors, who have any sense of character,
and perhaps his future fortune may be such
as to teach even the most selfish of them not
to tread in his steps.
The Commissioners not long since pub¬
lished an advertisement, relative to the
stripping and feathering of one Jessee
Tavilla, a tidesman in the town of Provi¬
dence, Rhode-Island, promising a reward of
£50 sterling, for the discovery of any one
concerned in this illegal distribution of
punishment. — Well may such princely re¬
wards be offered by a set of men, who are under
less controul in the disposal of the revenue,
arising from the new duties, than is the K — g
himself, respecting the national monies! —
The House of Assembly of New-Castle on
Delaware, in consequence of a letter from
the Speaker of the late House of Burgesses
of Virginia, inclosing their resolves, relative
to the advice given to his Majesty, by the
Houses of Parliament, for the seizing and
carrying off any person to England from
America that may be obnoxious to the
King’s governor or minister, have thought
fit to adopt those resolves, in expressions as
well as sentiment; if this is done in the other
governments, when permitted to meet in
Assembly, it will be the best evidence of
unanimity that can be given. — _
The sloop Liberty, lately owned by Mr.
Hancock, and by way of insult to the mer-
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
125
chant, fitted out by the C — m — rs, at a
most enormous expence to the crown, as a
guarda costa, having for some time past
greatly distressed the fair trader, has at
length come to an untimely end, in the
harbour of New-Port Rhode-Island, where a
number of persons exasperated at the im¬
prudent behaviour of the captain and some
of his people, went on board her as she lay
I at anchor, cut the cable, let her drift ashore,
I _ and then set her on fire. — It is unhappy
both for the mother country and colonies,
that the power of stopping, seizing vessels,
&c. in our several harbours, has been com¬
mitted to the little injudicious officers of
petty guarda costas, and that when any
have behaved in an illegal and abusive
manner, they have been screened from due
justice, and continued in his Majesty’s
service, as has been lately related of one
Fellows , an officer in one of those vessels,
who rescued a prisoner in Cape Ann, out
of the hands of the sheriff, and with his
people fired several times upon the sheriff
and his assistants, with powder and ball, to
the greatly endangering their lives.
The spirited behaviour of the merchants
and traders of Philadelphia and New-York,
respecting those who have imported goods
into those provinces, contrary to the spirit
of their agreements, relative to an non¬
importation of foreign goods, plainly shews,
that they are in earnest, and must serve, if
any thing will, to awaken the British mer¬
chants and manufacturers, to a sense of their
own interest. — The following are selected
from many instances of the same nature.
A vessel arrived at Philadelphia from
Yarmouth, with a load of malt, shipped in
May last; the merchants assembled, and
voted it contrary to the spirit of their agree¬
ment, and an attempt to counter act the
same, which ought to be discouraged; — the
brewers attended in a body, with an agree¬
ment drawn and signed, wherein they en¬
gage that they will not purchase any part of
it, nor brew of the same for any person
whatsoever; this agreement was read and
received with applause, — after which it
was unanimously voted, That in order
effectually to discourage such attempts for
the future, no person ought to purchase any
part of this cargo. — And that such as
should purchase or assist in the sale of any
part thereof, or be any ways concerned in
the unloading, storing or removing it, shall
be considered as a person who has not a just
sense of liberty, and as an enemy to his
country. —
In consequence of the foregoing resolu¬
tions, it is said the said vessel with her malt,
sailed for Cork, a few days after.
At New-York, as we are informed, one
Simeon Cooley having been discovered in
acting counter to the agreement of the
merchants and traders of that city, was
called upon to account for the same; he at
first refused, and apply’d to a major of the
Regulars for a protection of the soldiery,
which was inconsiderately granted, but soon
recalled by a superior officer, to prevent a
flame which was enkindling; he then retired
to the fort, but soon thought it expedient to
come forth and make an amende honourable
in the presence of several thousands of the
inhabitants, for his contempt, and opposi¬
tion to the North-America agreement, rela¬
tive to non-importation of foreign goods; he
begged pardon of all his fellow citizens,
promised never to offend again in like man¬
ner, and engaged to send to the public store
an equivalent to the goods he had sold,
together with all those he had in possession,
that were imported contrary to the agree¬
ment, there to remain till the Revenue Acts
were repealed, and so to conduct for the
future as not to render himself obnoxious to
the contempt and just resentment of an
injured people. _
On the 25th of last month, his Majesty’s
64th Regiment embarked for Nova Scotia,
as the 65th Regiment, which had been
quartered on Castle Island had done some
_time before. — The loss of men which the
"regiment, placed in this town have sustained
by dissertion, may alone afford full convic¬
tion, that Boston is a very unsuitable place
for quartering of soldiers; it is a gross abuse
upon the inhabitants to have it given out,
that those desertions were owing to their
practices; a liking to the country, and a
prospect of carrying on their several manu¬
factures to mutual benefit, may account for
the numerous desertions, from the several
regiments, without recurring to any other
causes. —
126
BOSTON under MILITARY RULE
Many letters have been lately received
from our friends on the other side the water,
acquainting us with the methods taken by
the present Ministry, to quiet the minds of
the people of England, which were greatly
disturbed by their conduct, in rejecting the
colony petitions, and postponing the con¬
sideration of American affairs, until another
session of Parliament, one of those methods
was to have it given out as from them, that
the acts of Parliament relative to a revenue
would be certainly repealed, and every con¬
ciliating measure adopted with respect to
their future treatment of the colonies, and
that letters had been transmitted to the
several governors, to acquaint them with
this determination of Ministry. — For the
information and satisfaction of our brethren
at home, we shall give the sense of Lord
Hillsborough’s letter to the Governor of
Rh. Island, respecting this matter, and this
almost in his own words. His Lordship
begins his letter by advising that he had
inclos’d his Majesty’s speech at the rising
of Parliament, and particularly refers to
what is therein said, with regard to the
measures which have been pursued in Amer¬
ica. — And the satisfaction his Majesty
expresses in having the approbation of his
Parliament thereon. — The resolution of
their firm support, and that the concurrence
of every branch of the legislature cannot fail
of the most salutary effects. — He infers
from hence, it will be understood the whole
legislature are of opinion with his Majesty’s
servants, that no measures ought to be
taken, which can any ways derogate from
the legislative authority of Britain over the
colonies; but at the same time assures, that
though men of factious and seditious views
had insinuated, that other taxes would be
laid on; yet the Administration at no time
had a design to propose any further taxes,
for the purpose of raising a revenue; — that
at present it was their intention to propose,
at the next session of Parliament, to take
off the duties upon glass, paper, and colours,
on consideration of their being laid contrary
to the true principles of commerce. — His
lordship further observes, that these have
been, and still are, the principles of the
present servants of his Majesty, with respect
to America, and concludes with observing
his Majesty’s reliance upon the prudence
and fidelity of the several Governors and
Assemblies, in explaining these measures,
that they may tend to remove the prejudices
excited by means of misrepresentation, from
the enemies to the prosperity of Britain and
America, and to re-establish mutual confi¬
dence and affection, on which the safety and
glory of the British empire depend.”
Americans are too enlightened and know¬
ing a people, to suffer their understanding
to be imposed upon, by the arts and unfair
practices of a British Minister, who appears
as much lost to a sense of his own dignity,
as he is to the true national interest, and too
spirited to receive the grossest insult with
indifference. The effect of L — d H — sb — gh’s
letter, relative to a repeal, has been similar
to those occasioned by his former circular
letter; — it has been treated with due con¬
tempt, and instead of shaking the agreement
of the merchants, respecting a non-importa¬
tion of foreign goods, it has greatly strength¬
ened the same: The merchants of this
province and indeed of a whole continent,
have again solemnly engaged not to start
from one of their resolutions, until the
revenue acts are repealed, and the objects
of their agreement fully realized. —
The inhabitants of this town have for a
long while been acquainted with the true
character and behaviour of C. P. Esq; late a
surveyor and searcher for the port of B — n,
now swelled into a Commissioner of the
Customs. It is therefore no surprise to us,
to be told, that in a discourse with a re¬
spectable merchant of this town, before
copies of Governor Bernard and the Com¬
missioners letters were received, he should
utter what follows, ‘‘Pray Mr. S — , what can
be the meaning that I am so much despised
and hated in town — I was not made a
Com — r by my own seeking, — I had no
desire that there ever should be a Board
established here — I had £400 a year before,
and I have but £500 now, — I never wished
for any troops or ships, — I never wrote for
any, — I think it very wrong that any ever
came, and I hope they’ll soon be gone; — I
always said that the Revenue Acts were bad
in every respect, and I hope and believe
they’ll all soon be repealed, and things put
upon their old footing, and I wish the town
would not think me its enemy.” — Our
friends in England may however, by perns-
A JOURNAL of the TIMES
127
ing his letters, lately published, and ac- istration, and how well Mr. P - n has
quainting themselves with his late intrigues merited the Jive hundred pounds per annum ,
with Ministry, be fully satisfied what sort granted him out of the spoils of the American
of men are agreeable to the present Admin- commerce — 1
1 There is no notation at the close of this item that it was to be continued as had been customary throughout
the Journal. No further sections of it have been found, hence it is assumed that it was discontinued at this point.
INDEX
Admiralty, Court of: suit against Hancock and others
for smuggling wine starts, 19; trial of Hancock post¬
poned, 28; new judges appointed, and salaries raised
to £ 600 per year, 28; again postpones the trial of
Hancock, 31, 34; merchants oppressed with charges
of minor infractions of revenue laws, 40-41; first
witnesses heard against Hancock, 42; further con¬
siders Hancock’s case, 44—45; unusual procedure in
Hancock’s trial, questions of constitutional rights
raised, 46—47; commissions for new judges arrive in
Boston, 53; trial of Hancock continued, unfair tactics
used, 56-57; coasting vessel condemned for minor
offense, 65; trial of Hancock continued, witnesses
heard in his defense, 66; trial of Hancock, arguments
heard, 67; important questions of legal procedure
raised, 68; ruling of court on procedure in Hancock’s
trial, discussion of same, 72; trial of Hancock dropped,
83-84; extension of jurisdiction of, a serious griev¬
ance, 98-99. See Customs , Commissioners of; Guarda
Costa ; Hancock; and Soldiers.
American Union: reasons for unified sentiment in sup¬
port of Massachusetts, 65.
Amherst, General Jeffery: mentioned, 8; displaced as
commander-in-chief in America, 13.
Annis, Joseph, soldier: indicted for assaulting Justice
Hemmingway, 91.
Arms: right of Americans to have, defended, 60-61.
Army, officers of: engage in fight with town watch, 54;
agree not to disturb future concerts, 65-66; break the
Sabbath, 57. See, Boston , Soldiers , Troops.
Arnes, Richard, private 14th Regiment: shot publicly
for desertion, 17.
Ashley, John, soldier: indicted for assaulting Justice
Hemmingway, 91.
Assistance, writs of: collector of customs at New
London, Connecticut, made a second application for,
refused, 92; granted by superior court to custom
house officers at Charlestown, 92; discussion of
nature, illegality and undesirability of, 92-93; offi¬
cers of custom applied to courts in several colonies
for and were refused, 93.
Assembly, of Massachusetts: election of new members
to, 97; character of new men elected to, 103; com¬
ments on conditions facing the new session, 109-110.
Attorney General: of Massachusetts, refuses to prose¬
cute soldiers for assault on Gray, 47; checks prosecu¬
tion of soldiers for assault on inhabitants of Boston,
57-58. Of England: rules coasting vessels should not
be required to enter and clear, 49.
Auchmuty, Robert: made Judge of Admiralty with
salary from American revenue, 23; confirmed as
Judge of Admiralty, 28; also made a local justice of
peace in Boston, 58; commission as Judge of Ad¬
miralty read in open court, 83.
Augustine: report of arrival there of troops from
Pensacola, 37.
Avery, John, justice of peace: refuses to quarter
troops, 11.
Bahama Islands: arrival of Governor Shirley at, 30.
Balston, Nathaniel, justice of peace: refuses to quarter
troops, 11.
Barbour, Peter: affidavit of rescue of Riley from Justice
Quincy’s court, 120.
Barr£, Isaac: sent petition of citizens of Boston, 87-88.
Beaver , warship: at Boston, 1, 23.
Bedford, Duke of: seconds Hillsborough’s resolutions
in House of Lords, 82.
Belknap, Jeremiah: affidavit concerning forcible rescue
of Riley from officers of law, 121.
Berdt, Denys de, agent of Massachusetts Assembly:
difficulty in presenting petitions, 19; appointed agent
for Delaware, 22; letter concerning Hillsborough’s
opposition to trials of soldiers, 92.
Bermuda: troops from reported sent to Boston, 22.
Bernard, Francis, Governor of Massachusetts: referred
to, 1, 20; portrait of mutilated, 3; misrepresents
billeting of troops in papers, 3; maintains land of
town was the King’s and could be used by troops, 4;
accused of having secured troops by misrepresenta¬
tions, 4; ordered sheriff to carry copy of riot act to
be read so troops could be used, 7; suggests Council
refer question of billeting to judges, 11; lays letter
from Hillsborough before Council, 12; appoints
James Murray justice for Suffolk County, 12; de¬
mands Council do all work with him present, 12;
presents letter of Hillsborough recommending
changes in Boston magistrates, 18; proposes a procla¬
mation concerning the justices of the town, refused
by Council, 21; denies Council can petition King, 24;
advises that all money from the revenue be spent in
America, 24; orders a day of thanksgiving, 25; effigy
of burned in New York, 26-27; efficiency of con¬
trasted with that of previous governors, 30-31;
home guarded by soldiers, 31; appoints James Mur¬
ray and William Coffin justices in Boston, 32; asks
Council to defend Sheriff Greenleaf against suit for
trespass, 37-38; further attempts to protect Sheriff
Greenleaf, 41—42; makes serious incident of a prank
of some boys, 50; controversy with, over rescinding
Circular Letter, 53; designs upon the charter of
Massachusetts, 55-56; spying on people of Boston,
56; appoints more partisans as local justices, 58;
shows anonymous letter accusing Boston leaders
with plotting a revolt, 60; address to, of Selectmen
129
130
INDEX
of Boston on conditions of city, 66-67 ; answer of
address from Boston concerning conditions, 68-69;
discussion in Journal of answer to address of Boston,
69; second address of Boston on conditions, 69-70;
answer to second address of Boston, 70; discussion in
Journal of answer to second address of Boston, 70-71;
action of, injurious to commerce of province, 76-77;
picture repaired by Copely, 78; proclamation of fast,
criticism of, 81; more than thirty letters from, laid
before Parliament, 83; accused of appointing unlit
men as justices to carry out his plans, 88; receives
title of Baronet, 96; letter to, concerning his new
title, 96-97; attack upon the constitutional rights of
Assembly to choose the Council, 109-110; comments
on his recall, 111; Judge Sewall writes his defense,
113; comment on letters of, to ministry recently
published, 123-124.
Bernard, John, son of Governor: fined for Sunday dis¬
turbance, 118.
Beverly: spinning match by young women at, 115.
Bill of Rights: appealed to as an American right, 60-61 ;
quartering of troops a violation of, 74.
Bonetta, warship: at Boston, 1, 23.
Boston, Massachusetts: landing of troops at, 1; Manu¬
factory House required for troops, 2; soldiers quar¬
tered in town house, 2; troops quartered in public
buildings, 2; town warehouse seized for troops and
town stores dumped on wharf, 4; no sale for tea at,
9; ladies of, refuse to attend military ball, 11; condi¬
tions in as stated by the Council, 13-15; town house
occupied by troops, 17; merchants exchange filled
with troops, 21; ships and troops in, on November
18, 23; town watch abused by officers, 26; selectmen
request that band music and parades on Sunday be
discontinued, 42; resolutions concerning arms for the
inhabitants, 52; town jail burns, 58; charges of
seditious intentions of people of, 60-61; charges made
against, by agents of Crown, 66; address of selectmen
to Governor Bernard on condition of, 66-67; reply
of Governor Bernard to address concerning condi¬
tions, 68-69; second address to Governor Bernard
on conditions in Boston, 69-70; answer of Governor
Bernard to second address, 70; committees appointed
to deal with trespasses by soldiers on town property,
78; anniversary of repeal of Stamp Act celebrated in,
80; report of committees recommending poor women
be put to work spinning, 87; petition to king on
conditions and misrepresentations, 87-88; success of
non-importation agreements at, 95-96; punishment
of criminals for burning jail, 96; adopts instructions
to representatives concerning conditions in Boston
endangering freedom, 98; toasts drunk at celebration
of birthday of George III, 110; 65th Regiment em-
'barks for Halifax, 125.
Boston Chronicle: reports orders on way for a new
Assembly, 39.
Boston Common: encampment of soldiers upon, 2
religious services for soldiers on, 4; scene of executior
of deserter, 17.
Boston Evening Post: 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 25, 37
43, 51, 54, 58, 60, 63, 67, 73, 75, 76, 77, 87, 88, 92
97, 111, 115, 117, 123.
Botetourt, Lord: appointed to succeed General Am¬
herst, 13; arrival in Virginia.
Bowdoin, James: member of Council, 15.
Bowman, Rev. Jonathan: has spinning bee at house,
115.
Boycott: of Massachusetts Gazette and Boston Evening
Post by Admiralty, 90.
Bradbury, John, member of Council, 15.
Bradford, Gamaliel: member of Council, 15.
Bristol: ships arrive from with political news frorr
England, 27.
Britain: admission that many articles in Journal ar<
for the information of people of, 81.
Bromfield, John, soldier: indicted for assaulting Justic<
Hemmingway, 91.
Brookfield: account of a large spinning party at, 117
Brown, John: occupies the Manufactory House ai
Boston, 2; resists seizure of same for use of soldiers
8; files legal complaint for trespass over seizure, 9-10
brings action for trespass against Sheriff Greenleaf
37-38.
Brown, James: master of vessel seized by revenue
officers, 113.
Caldwell, Captain: commander of Rose, 94.
Cambridge, Massachusetts: 3.
Campbell, Lord George: in Boston to solicit return ol
troops, to Halifax, 22-23; returns home from Boston
71.
Cape Ann: open sand boats compelled to enter al
custom house, 59.
Carr, Colonel: commander of 29th Regiment, 1.
Casco Bay: small vessel bound for, seized on technical
charges, 103.
Castle Island: 5.
Castle William: 5; Commissioners of Customs leave
for Boston, 20.
Champney, Rev. of Beverley: has a spinning bee al
house, 115.
Charles, Robert, Agent for New York: instructed tc
co-operate with agents of other colonies, 50.
Charlestown: officers of customs receive Writs ol
Assistance, 92.
Cleavland, Rev. John: account of spinning match al
home of, 116.
Coffin, Nathaniel: appointed deputy receiver in plac<
of John Fenton, 19.
Cheese - I W
INDEX
131
Coffin, William: appointed one of the reforming jus¬
tices by Bernard, 32.
Concert: held by governor becomes disorderly, 55.
Congon, John, of North Kingston: spinning bee held
at house of, 86.
Connecticut: merchants join non-importation agree¬
ments, 5; clergy and officers wear home spun clothing,
75; letter from, discussing military rule in Boston,
75- 76.
Constitution of Massachusetts: inquiry concerning
attacks upon, 98.
Cooper, William, Boston Town Clerk: signs address
of Selectmen, 66-67; signs second address of Boston,
to Governor Bernard, 70.
Copely: repairs damage to portrait of Bernard, 78.
Corbett, Michael, seaman: wounded resisting impress¬
ment, killed officer trying to impress him, 95; trial
of for the killing of Lieutenant Panton, 104-105.
Council of Massachusetts: summoned to Castle Wil¬
liam, 1.
Court of Sessions: troops in the way of, 2-3.
Cudworth, Benjamin, deputy sheriff: sent to arrest
Captain Willson, 17.
Cushing, Thomas, Speaker of Massachusetts Assembly:
letter to from New York, 49; letter to from North
Carolina Assembly, 82.
Customs, Commissioners of: mentioned, 1; seize the
Tryton, 9; consider it safe to return to Boston, 12;
leave Castle William, resume business in Boston, 20;
treat anniversary of appointment as holy day, 22;
social extravagance of, 33-34; attempt to hold enter¬
tainment at Concert Hall, fails, 34-35; seize vessels
on flimsy pretexts, 30-37, 40, 43, 45; bad results
following detention of ships on petty charges, 48-49;
suspend Samuel Venner as secretary of same, 54;
list of names of those who did not leave Boston for
Castle Island, 54-55; offend people of Boston with
assumed superiority, 57; destructive effect of pro¬
gram on shipping, 59; order vessel seized at Boston
while loading, 59; annoyance of small shippers, 63;
seizure and annoyance of small coasting vessels, 68;
seem bent on destroying commerce of the province,
76- 77; release several vessels, 77-78; more severities
against the merchants, 79-80; unreasonable regula¬
tions of, burden shipping, 84; destroying trade of
America by regulations, 102; object to removal of
troops, 111; offer reward for conviction of those who
tarred and feathered a tidesman, 124.
Dalrymple, Colonel: arrives at Boston in command of
troops, 1; demands troops be billeted, 3; formally
requests billeting of troops, 3; directed to remove
troops from Faneuil Hall, 8; president of a court-
martial to try soldier for desertion, 9; removes troop
from Faneuil Hall, 12; alledged to have encouraged
soldiers to mistreat a butcher, 121-122. AUj lo6
Dana, Richard, justice of peace in Boston: complaint
made to concerning illegal seizure of Manufactory
House, 9-10; one of justices refusing to quarter
troops, 11; complaint concerning Captain Willson
made before, 16; binds over soldiers charged with
assault, 32; binds over soldiers for illegally searching
a house, 71.
Danforth, Samuel: member of Council of Massachu¬
setts, 15.
Daughters of Liberty: activity in spinning, at New¬
port, 85; at Jamestown, 85-86.
Daws, Thomas, coroner: investigates condition of
soldier believed dead from whipping, 89-90.
Dean, Captain: vessel of, searched and seized, 103.
Dedham: donation party at, gives home spun yarn,
116-117.
Delaware: appoints Dennys de Berdt as agent, peti¬
tions for redress of grievances, 22; Assembly approves
resolves of Virginia Assembly regarding sending
persons to England for trial, 124.
Deschamps, Isaac: appointed Chief Justice at St.
John’s, 23.
Desertion, from forces in Boston: reward offered sol¬
diers to report attempts to induce, 3; from regiments
reported, 5; may scatter instructors among Ameri¬
cans, 5; may promote manufacturing, 5; inducement
to, a sign of disloyalty, 6; soldier from 14th Regiment
captured, 6; parties sent into country to prevent, 6;
convicted deserter shot on Common, 17 deserter
caught on edge of town, 17; petty officer of Mermaid
sentenced to be hanged for, 26; advertisement of
Hood concerning desertions from navy, 51; due to
dislike of service and liking for country, 51; deserters
released from captors by a mob in Londonderry, 59;
increased by severe winter, 64.
Detroit: reports of robbery by Indians, near, 37.
Dexter, Samuel: member of Council, 15.
Draper, Mr.: house broken into and searched by armed
soldiers, 108.
Durphey, Captain: has coasting vessel seized on
technical charges, 103.
Entertainment: governor and commissioners get up a
ball at Concert Hall, 38-39.
Erving, John: member of Council, 15.
Farmer, letters of: attempt to answer, 82.
Faneuil Hall: soldiers quartered in, 2; occupied by
troops, 6; troops ordered removed from by Select¬
men, 8; troops removed from, 12; court removes to,
on account of soldiers in court house, 20.
Fellows, Samuel, an informer for custom officers: out¬
rageous conduct as revenue officer, 100-101; attempt
132
INDEX
to arrest him for conduct at Cape Ann, 105-106;
receives a very light sentence, 113-114.
Fenton, John: removed as deputy receiver, 19.
Fire: in Murray’s barracks, 29.
Fisher, Mr.: refuses to make fishermen contribute to
Greenwich Hospital, loses position with customs, 10.
Fleets, John and Thomas, publishers of the Boston
Evening Post: boycotted by Admiralty, 90.
Flucker, Thomas: owner of vessel seized by customs
officers, 68.
Forbes, Rev. Mr.: account of large spinning match at
home of, 117.
Frankland, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia: goes
to England to have troops returned to Halifax, 71.
Freeman, Captain: seizure of vessel threatened, 103.
Gage, General Thomas: mentioned, 1; reviews troop
on Commons, 6; receives address from members of
Council, 13; reply to Council concerning removal of
troops, 15; starts back to New York, 26; on Cannon
near Assembly, 104.
Geary, Mr.: acquitted of enticing soldiers to desert, 28.
Georgia: orders for goods from, 33; Assembly of, sup¬
ports Massachusetts, 63; letters from Speaker of
Assembly, M. Jones, supporting Massachusetts, 72-
73.
Glasgow: war ship at Boston, 1, 23.
Grand jury: large number of presentments by, occa¬
sioned by soldiers, 47; brings in many indictments,
84.
Gray, Harrison: member of Council, 15; assault upon
by soldiers, 47; store broken into, 71-72.
Greenleaf, Stephen: sheriff assisting in reception of
troops, 1; carries riot act in pocket, 7; leads soldiers
in seizing the Manufactory House, 8; has soldiers
guard his house, 8; raises siege of Manufactory
House, 9; charged with breaking and entering, 9-10;
effigy burned in New York, 26-27; attempt to in¬
demnify him against suit for trespass, 41-42; affidavit
of concerning riot of soldiers at court of Justice
Quincy, 122.
Greenwich Hospital: protest of fisherman against
paying fees for, 10, 36.
Guarda Costa: operation of against Massachusetts
commerce, 45; ordered to patrol coast of Massachu¬
setts, 48; abuse of right to search and seize vessels,
65; action seems like war on American trade, 85;
annoying activities of, 103.
Guard house: damaged, reward offered by governor, 4.
Halifax, Nova Scotia: 1; letter describing leaving of
troops, 5; distress caused by removal of troops from,
5-6, 23; arrival of many women from to be supported
by charity, 46; Governor Campbell arrives at from
Boston, 71.
Hall, Captain: brings news of recall of Bernard, 111.
Hancock, John: has ship detained by Admiralty, 3;
files charges against Captain Willson, 16; arrested
for violation of customs laws, 18; has difficulty in
giving bail, 18; sloop Liberty confiscated, 18; trial
postponed by Court of Admiralty, 28, 31, 34; trial
begun in Court of Admiralty, 43; case continued,
44-45; amounts to persecution, 46-47; secret ques¬
tioning of witnesses against, 54; trial goes on, 56-57,
64; examination of witnesses for, 66; arguments of
attorney’s on legal questions, 67; questions of law
to be applied in his trial, 68; trial finally dropped,
83-84; informer against indicted for perjury, 84.
Harvard College: picture of Bernard repaired and
returned to, 78.
Harvey, John, Speaker of North Carolina Assembly:
letter of, 81-82.
Haven, Rev.: presented with much home spun yarn,
116-117.
Hemmingway, Mr.: killed a dog belonging to an officer,
71; house entered and searched by soldiers without
warrant, 71; officer and soldiers indicted for breaking
into house of, 84.
Henshaw, Joshua: files charges against Captain Will-
son, 16.
Hill, John: justice of peace, 11; member of Council, 15.
Hillsborough, Earl of: circular letters from, 4; letter
from laid before council, 12; reported as determined
to force submission to revenue laws, 13; recommends
changes in Boston magistrates, 18; neglected to
present petition of Assembly to King, 19; forbids
governors to lay letters before assemblies of colonies,
23; letter referred to, 44; letters from concerning
action of Council, 47; opposition to in Parliament,
53; asks for proof against Boston patriots, 56; should
be pleased with arts of Bernard, 58; anonymous letter
to sent to Bernard, 60; relations to Bernard discussed
at length, 62-63; wrongs committed by those sent to
assist the civil power, 64; discussion of his circular
letter concerning revealing contents of his letters,
73-74; introduces resolutions concerning America
in House of Lords, 82; thinks suits against soldiers
show a bad temper on part of Boston, 92; recalls
Bernard, 111.
Holland: reported that colonies plan an alliance with,
60.
Hollowell, Mr.: letter of in Boston paper, 20.
Hood, Samuel, Admiral in command of American fleet:
sent for from Halifax, 9; arrives in Boston, 22;
desires specific information as to ships needed in
Boston, 26; pardons a seaman about to be hanged,
30; orders issued by, for guarda costa to patrol coast,
of New England, 48; advertises concerning desertions
from the navy at Boston, 51; releases men impressed
INDEX
133
from whaling ship, 90; hesitates to surrender Fellows
for trial, 105-106.
Hope, ship of war: in Boston harbor, 23.
Howard, Captain: reports troops on way from Cork, 18.
Hubbard, Thomas: member of Council, 15.
Huntington, Long Island: spinning bee at, 86.
Hutchinson, Justice: commits person to jail on com¬
plaint of soldier, 5; commits man from Roxbury to
prison, 6.
Hutchinson, T. and E.: violators of the non-importa¬
tion agreements, 100.
Importation: false rumors spread concerning action of
merchants in Boston, 32.
Impressment: of sailors, 3, 23; of crew of whaling
vessel, 90.
Inches, Henderson: files charges against Captain
Willson, 16; suit against Fellows for debt, 105-106.
Independence: anonymous letter accuses Boston
leaders with plotting, 60.
Industry, a brig from London: seized on technical
charges, 102-103.
Ingersoll, Jared: appointed judge of Admiralty for
New York, 28.
Ipswick: account of spinning match at, 116.
Jackson, Edward: affidavit concerning the riots by
soldiers at court of Justice Quincy, 122.
Jackson, Joseph: files charges against Captain Willson,
16.
Jackson, William: violates non-importation agree¬
ments, 100.
Jamaica: Assembly dissolved for not supporting
troops, 19.
Jamestown: report of spinning at, 85-86.
Jenkins, Captain: brings news from London about
troops, 6.
Johnson, Augustus: appointed Admiralty Judge for
South Carolina, 28.
Johnson, Sarah: died as a result of probable rape by
soldiers, 114.
Jones, M., Speaker of Georgia Assembly: letter sup¬
porting Massachusetts, 72-73.
Journal of the Times: publication requested, 2.
King George III: hopes that he may have wise min¬
isters, 51; arrival of copy of speech and comments
upon it, 52; celebration of his birthday, 110.
Lane, Mr.: has a ship seized for selling a few lemons, 77.
Launceston , war ship: at Boston, 1.
Lebanon, Connecticut: resolutions of town concerning
troops in Boston, 4-5.
Liberty, sloop: seizure of referred to, 4; made a guarda
costa, 92; burned at Newport, 124-125.
Liberty Boys: to be driven to the devil, 16.
Liberty Song: proposed singing in Halifax, 5-6.
Liberty Tree: effigies to be hung on, 79.
Little Romney, ship of war: in Boston harbor, 23.
Livingston, Phillip, Speaker of New York Assembly:
letter of, 49-50.
London, England: political news from, 27, 47; letters
from regarding political tactics of ministry, 126.
Londonderry, New Hampshire: release of deserters at,
59.
Lords, House of: resolves of on American affairs, 82-83.
Loring, Commodore: appointed a local justice of the
peace in Boston, 58.
Loring, John: affidavit of riot by soldiers in court of
Justice Quincy, 121.
Louisburg: reports of inhabitants being killed, 9; con¬
trast between expedition to and conditions in Massa¬
chusetts, 30.
Lydia, brig owned by Hancock: detained by Admiralty,
3.
Mackay (Mackey), Colonel: in charge of 65th Regi¬
ment, 23; forbids horse-racing on the Common on
Sunday, 108.
Maderia: vessel from seized, 59.
Magdalene, ship of war: in Boston harbor, 23.
Manufactory House: ordered cleared by council for
use of soldiers, 7; residents prepare to hold same,
7-8; attempted seizure by soldiers, 8, 9; guards
withdrawn from celler of, 19.
Manufacturing: progress of in Massachusetts, 33;
letters from South Carolina regarding development
of, 74; encouraged by New England governments,
75; Americans can supply themselves with, 88-89;
encouraged by revenue acts, 115.
Manigault, P.: letter signed by as Speaker of South
Carolina Assembly, 44.
Manwarring, Mr.: employee of Commissioners of
Customs, 77.
Marblehead: vessel with molasses seized at, 10.
Maryland: ship from, loaded with corn, seized for
having a small amount of refuse tobacco on board, 77.
Massachusetts: Council designates person to quarter
troops at his own risk, 3; Council refuse to keep
communications from governor secret, 6; presents
address to General Gage, 13-15; Assembly petition
sent to king through Hillsborough, not presented, 19;
quarrel with governor over right of petition, 24; gets
support from many sources, 27-28; corrects mis¬
constructions of petition made by Bernard, 31; dis¬
cussion of not calling Assembly at usual time, 39;
Assembly not to meet until May, 47; attacks upon
the charter of, 52-53; power of governor to negative
members chosen to Council, 53; Assembly dissolved
for not complying with rescinding order, 53; plans
to alter charter of, 55.
Massachusetts Circular Letter: resolutions of North
Carolina Assembly on, 81-82.
134
INDEX
Merchants, of Philadelphia: signing non-importation
agreements, 74.
Mermaid , war ship: at Boston harbor, 1, 23.
Merrill, Josiah: employee of revenue cutter seized for
debt, 101.
Mertier, Daniel: officer indicted for assaulting Justice
Hemmingway, 91.
Milton: spinning match at, 116.
Ministry, British: misled as to conditions in America,
60-61.
Money: scarcity of, 49.
Murray, James: leased buildings for quarters for
soldiers, 3; made justice of peace, 12, 21, 32; attack
of upon the truth of statements in the Journal , 97;
advertisement of, against the author of the Journal,
106-107.
Muzzele (Maysel), Joseph, informer against John Han¬
cock: indicted for perjury, 84; not tried on indict¬
ment, given an office in custom service on Liberty, 92.
“Nancy Dawson”: band music played on Sunday, 99.
Nantucket: ships from, ordered seized, 4.
Nantucket Harbor: ships with troops arrive at, 1.
Navy: desertions from in 1768 at Boston, 51; petty
officer of, assaults a married woman, 75.
Negroes: promised freedom by soldiers, urged to
attack masters, 16.
Negro drummers: used to whip white soldiers, 3, 6.
Nevis: firing on war ship Raven by mistake, 78.
Newberry: revenue officer tarred and feathered, 114.
Newbury Port: two vessels from with molasses seized,
10.
Newport, Rhode Island: activity of spinning at, 85;
woman of advanced years becomes good spinner,
117; inhabitants burn sloop Liberty, a revenue cutter,
125.
New Providence: troops withdrawn from to be sent
to Boston, 22.
Newton, John, soldier: indicted for assaulting Justice
Hemmingway, 91.
New York: representations sent to Gage at, 1; mer¬
chants of agree not to import goods from England, 5;
supports people of Boston, 10; effigies of Governor
Bernard and Sheriff Greenleaf burned in, 26-27;
Assembly supports Massachusetts and sends petition
to Parliament, 49; letter of Assembly to Speaker
Cushing, 49-50; news from, that troops were to be
withdrawn from Boston, 111.
New York Journal: 1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 22, 25, 34, 37, 40, 51,
55, 57, 58, 70, 76, 79, 82, 87, 97, 100, 107, 112, 115,
123.
Non-importation: agreements of merchants on, 5;
Philadelphia merchants signing, 74; success of agree¬
ments, 95-96; progress of, at various New England
towns, 96; punishment of those not keeping same,
100; two vessels from Scotland unable to dispose of
British manufactures because of, 117; action of
merchants at New York and Philadelphia against
those who do not keep agreements, 125.
North Carolina: account of operations of Regulators
in, 29, 60; Assembly answered Virginia and Massa¬
chusetts Circular Letters, 60; spirited resolves of
concerning Massachusetts Circular Letter, 81-82.
Norwich, Connecticut: orders militia put in readiness,
6; resolutions supporting Boston, 7.
Nova Scotia: Jonathan Sewall appointed Admiralty
Judge of, 28; letter of protest from resident of, be¬
cause of troops sent to Boston, 29; 65th Regiment
embarks for, from Boston, 125. - 3?
Officers: multiplicity of, 36.
Officers, of army: insult and defy town watch, 71. See
Army, Boston, Soldiers.
Otis, James: objects to smell of soldiers, asks court
remove to Faneuil Hall, 20.
Otis, Joseph: charged with assisting Sheriff Greenleaf
in trespass on Manufactory House, 9-10.
Panton, Lieutenant of Rose: killed in attempting to
impress seamen, 94-95; slayer of, held guilty of
justifiable homicide, 110.
Parliament: act regulating quartering of troops, 2;
unconstitutional acts of, discussed, 60-62.
Parsons, Jacob, deputy sheriff at Cape Ann: defied by
Fellows, 101.
Patriots: in danger of being sent to England for trial,
56.
Paxton, Charles: shows himself in Boston, 26; parades
of, connected with customs, 33; letters and his own
speeches before they were published, 126-27.
Pemberton, Samuel: files charges against Captain
Willson, 16.
Pensions: suggested for Governor Bernard and parti¬
sans, 9.
Pennsylvania: Assembly concurs with others in sup¬
porting Massachusetts, 64-65.
Pennsylvania Chronicle: 2, 11.
Philadelphia: petition of merchants from, for repeal of
taxes as unconstitutional, 43-44; non-importation
agreements being signed, at, 74; resolutions of
merchants of, on non-importation, 88.
Pierpont, Mr.: leased land taken over for a guard
house, 21.
Pierpont, Coroner: investigates reported death of
soldier from whipping, 89-90.
Pittpacket, ship from Cadiz: 94.
Pitts, James: member of Council, 15.
Pomeroy (Pomroy), Colonel: in charge of 64th Regi¬
ment, 23; orders challenging of citizens discontinued,
34; petitioned by Selectmen to reduce friction with
TojxijThe — Zfhyies - pcy*
INDEX
135
people of Boston, 42; leaves for New York to em¬
bark for England, 112.
Press: freedom of raised by Edes and Gill, 67-68.
Printers: threatened for printing questionable song
used by army officers, 67.
Providence , ship with military stores: lost in storm, 37.
Providence, Rhode Island: celebration of repeal of
Stamp Act, 80.
Quakers: inhabitants of Nantucket, 4.
Quartering of troops: disastrous consequences of, 71.
Queen of England: birthday of, celebrated at Boston,
51-52.
Quincy, Edmund, a justice of peace: commits a ship’s
surgeon to jail, 5; refuses to billet soldiers, 11; ac¬
count of rescue of soldier from custody of, 118-119.
Rape: attempt by soldier, 100. See Soldiers.
Raven , war ship: arrives at Nevis, reception there, 78.
Regulators: operations of in North Carolina, 29, 60.
Rescinders: most of, defeated for Assembly, 103.
Revenue: libels against twenty-one merchants for
£100,000, 16; used to pay Admiralty Judges, 23;
used to create a spoils system in America, 24; assailed
as detrimental to English interests, 25; difficulty of
payment in specie, 46.
Rhode Island: leading men wear home spun clothing,
75.
Riley, John, soldier: account of assault on a butcher
and rescue from officers of law, 119-120.
Robbins, Rev. of Milton: young women have spinning
match at home of, 116.
Robinson, Peter, soldier: indicted for assaulting Justice
Hemmingway, 91.
Rogers, Nathaniel: violator of non-importation agree¬
ment, 100.
Rogers, soldier: received part of 1,000 lashes, 6.
Romney, war ship: at Boston, 1, 23; brings Lord Camp¬
bell to Boston, 22.
Rose, war ship: from England, 30; carried away Andros,
30; engaged in impressing seamen, 94-95.
Ross, (Alexander), Lieutenant of 14th Regiment: par¬
ticipates in riot at Justice Quincy’s court, 119-120.
Rowe, John: files charges against Captain Willson, 16.
Rowland, Captain: brings commissions for new judges
of Admiralty, 53.
Roxbury: man from, arrested by soldiers without
warrant, 6.
Royall, Isaac: member of Council, 15.
Ruddock, John, justice of peace: 9, 1 1 ; complaint made
before against disorderly officers, 54; binds over
soldiers for illegally searching a house, 71; defied
and assaulted by soldiers, 74-75; soldiers guilty of
assaulting indicted, 84; indicted soldiers not brought
to trial, 92; complaint filed against soldier for at¬
tempted rape, 100.
Russel, James: member of Council, 15.
Rutland, Duke of: opposes Hillsborough’s resolutions
concerning America, 82.
Sabbath: soldiers preached to on Commons, 4; protests
against noisy action by soldiers on ineffectual, 106;
horse racing on Commons forbidden by General
Mackay, on, 108-109. See Boston, Soldiers, Sunday.
Saint John, Island of: Isaac Deschamps appointed
Chief Justice, 23.
Saint John’s, Nova Scotia: schooner from with pas¬
sengers deserting that colony, 34.
Saint Patrick: rumor that effigy was to be hung on
Liberty Tree, 80.
Salem: protest of fishermen against charges for Green¬
wich Hospital, 36; ship from seized on flimsy pretext,
40; seizure of goods from, 59.
Sandusky Bay: report of persons being robbed by
Indians, 37.
Scott, Captain: brings political news from England, 52.
Scott James: Captain of Lydia, 3.
Senegal, war ship: at Boston harbor, 1, 23.
Sewall, Jonathan: appointed judge of Admiralty for
Nova Scotia, 28; refuses to prosecute soldiers for
assault on Joshua Hemmingway, 91; embarks for
Halifax, 112-113; said to be author of articles in
papers entitled “Philanthrop,” 113. See Bernard.
Shipping: all vessels compelled to enter and clear, 10;
distress caused by, 10; greatly decreasing because of
work of customs officers, 77-78. See Revenue, Cus¬
toms Commissioners.
Shirley, Thomas: Governor of Bahama Islands, 30.
Shirley, William: activities in the Louisburg expedition,
30.
Silkridge, J., and R.: violators of the non-importation
agreements, 100.
Silver: large amount received in Boston from New
York for customs, 46.
Simpson, Jonathan: violates non-importation agree¬
ments, 100.
Smallpox: reported on board transports from Ireland,
21; Selectmen protest against landing soldiers in¬
fected with, 22.
Smith, James: owner of buildings used for barracks, 13.
Society for Propogating the Gospel: should spend
energies on soldiers, 39.
Soldiers: offered reward to report efforts to get them
to desert, 3; scourged by negro drummers, 3; Manu¬
factory House ordered cleared to provide quarters, 7;
offensive actions of officers, 7; arresting persons with¬
out warrants, 7-8; persons stopped on streets entering
town, 8; more regiments expected from Halifax and
Ireland, 9; ladies of Boston refuse to attend enter¬
tainments with, 1 1 ; specific instances of mistreatment
of inhabitants, 15-16; urge negroes to attack masters,
136
INDEX
16; removed from Common to winter quarters, 16;
shot on Commons for desertion, 17; mistreatment of
men and women by, 17, 27-28, 31, 42, 63, 64, 89,
99-100, 114, 117-118; disturb worship on Sunday,
19, 22, 24-25, 37, 43, 118; assaults on inhabitants,
attack upon a justice of peace, and town watch, 21;
arrival on transports from Cork, 21; occupy the
merchants exchange, 21; arrivals from Ireland with
smallpox, 21-22; reported being withdrawn from
South Carolina, New Providence, and West Florida
for duty in Boston, 22; assail town watch and abuse
citizens, 26; drunkenness and debauchery among, 28;
arrest and confine citizens in guard house, 28; stop
and search carriages going out of Boston, 28; chal¬
lenge inhabitants at night, 30; fire at night in Mur¬
ray’s barracks, 29-30; discontinue the parades on
Sunday, 31; assault and rob a householder, 31; attack
women and commit other outrages, 34; ordered to
stop challenging of citizens, 34; severe whipping of
soldiers, protests by local clergymen, 35-36; member
of guard caught stealing, 37; trouble with sailors, 37;
private soldier dies from drink, 38; bad example set
by when quartered in a city, 39; used to help seize
ships, 40; robbery of civilians by, 42; trouble with
seamen, 42, 114-115; attempts to restrain excessive
drinking by, 42; large number of offences committed
by, 47; unfair payment of subsistence money to, 48;
robberies by and assaults upon various individuals,
53-54; fined in local court on indictment of grand jury,
57; go armed to fire, services refused, 58; seizure of
deserters at Londonderry, New Hampshire, 59; de¬
pletion of regiments by desertion, 64; severe whip¬
pings, 66, 89-90; disastrous consequences of quarter¬
ing of, in Boston, 71; attacks upon women by, 71;
fail to interfere when Gray’s store was robbed, 71-72;
fights over women, 74; defy and assault Justice
Ruddock, 74; increasing disorders committed by, 75;
trespassing on town property by to be investigated
by committees of town, 78; special warning to be in
readiness for emergencies, 78-79; further instances
of licentious behavior of, conditions warrant armed
resistance by citizens, 79; plan to cut down Liberty
Tree, 80; oaths and blasphemies of, 86; assault a
young woman, 90; those indicted for assaulting
Justice Ruddock not brought to trial, 92; captain of
vessel severely beaten by, for protecting women
from, 93; attempted rape of an aged woman, 93-94;
officers and soldiers fight with town watch, 94; in¬
trude at public punishments, 96; disorders at roll call
on Commons, 105; celebrate the escape of Charles II
from Parliamentary troops, 106; insults to inhab¬
itants cannot be punished, 107; officers follow and
annoy young woman of prominent family, 108;
forcibly enter home of Mr. Draper, 108; young
woman seduced by mock marriage ceremony, 108;
two sergeants of 29th Regiment create a riot in
streets, 111-112; arrival of ninety-five new recruits,
112; embarkation of 65th Regiment for Halifax, 112;
supposed cause of death of Sarah Johnson, 114;
ensign of 64th Regiment attempts to take wife from
husband, put under bond, 114; seriously injure a
tradesman, 117-118; officer attacks young man with
sword, 118; officer of navy assaults a tailor in his
shop, 118; captain of vessel injured for protecting
two young women, 118; insult and beat a young
woman, 118.
Sons of Liberty: address posted on Liberty Tree in
Providence, 80-81.
South Carolina: assembly to meet, 20; troops reported
withdrawn from frontier and ordered to Boston, 22;
Augustus Johnson appointed Admiralty Judge, 28;
reports of conditions in, 29; reply to Circular Letter
of Massachusetts, 44; news from, 59; letters from,
concerning developing manufactures, 74.
Sparhawk, Nathaniel: member of Council, 15.
Spinning: activity at Huntington, Long Island, 86;
progress in at Newport, 85; at Jamestown, 85-86;
at North Kingston, 86; in Rhode Island, 86; bees
held at several places, 115-117.
Stamp Act: effect upon development of home manu¬
factures, 33; anniversary of, list of toasts drunk at
celebrations, 90-91; repeal of celebrated in Rhode
Island, 80.
Stoddard, William: justice of peace, 11.
Stuart, Charles: Receiver General of Board of Customs
Commissioners, 54.
Sudbury: story of a young man who lost a contribution
by buying tea, 33.
Sultana, ship of war: in Boston harbor, 23.
Sunday: worship disturbed by military parades, 19;
lack of authority to stop disturbances, 112; son of
Governor Bernard fined for disturbance on, 118.
See Sabbath , Soldiers.
Swain, Rev. Joseph: young women have a donation
spinning match for, 116.
Swanzey, Rhode Island: letter from, enclosing a copy
of letter from Hillsborough to Governor of Rhode
Island, 73.
Sweeney, Captain: arrived from Halifax with troops,
37.
Tar and feathers: persons guilty of applying, to be
severely punished, 114.
Tavilla Jessee, tidesman: tarred and feathered in
Rhode Island, 124.
Taxation: cause of controversy with England, 65.
Taylor, J.: violates the non-importation agreements,
100.
Tea: reports of decline in popularity of, 6; large quanti-
INDEX
137
ties sent to other colonies, 9; large retailers claim
sales reduced by one-fifth, 32; young man in Sudbury
disciplined for buying, 33; substitutes for, used, 86.
Temple, member of Board of Customs Commissioners:
did not leave Boston for Castle Island, 54.
Thayer, Arodi: arrests John Hancock, 18.
Toasts: list of drunk on anniversary of repeal of Stamp
Act, 90-91.
Townshend, Charles: received payment for positions
in customs service, in America, 40.
Trade: effect of new regulations upon, 40-41; severe
embarrassments of, 84—85; of America being ruined
by revenue measures, 102.
Trecothic, Alderman: exposes purchase of positions in
the customs service, 40.
Tripp, Stephen: spinning bee held at home of, 86.
Troops: landing of at Boston, described in detail, 1;
billeting requested, 3; will be at risk of individual
providing quarters, 3; billeting of, misrepresented in
papers by Governor Bernard, 3; contract for erecting
a guard house for, 4; occupy town lands without per¬
mission, 4; desertions reported, 5; embarkation from
Halifax for Boston, 5; lay seige to Manufactory
House, 8; quartering of. refused by justices except
according to law, 11; celebrate the king’s ascension
day, 11; billeting of, discussed by Council, 11-12;
quartered in rented buildings contrary to law, 13;
transfer from town to Castle William requested by
Council, 14—15; removed from court house, 20. See
Boston , Desertion , Soldiers.
Tryton: a brig seized by customs, 9.
Tudor, John, justice of peace: refuses to quarter
troops, 11.
Tyler, Royal: member of Council, 15.
Venner, Samuel: Secretary of Board of Commissioners,
54; suspended, 54.
Versailles, Court of: referred to, 1.
Viper , warship: in Boston harbor, 23.
Virginia: dissolution of Assembly in, 25-26; resolves of
Assembly on rights of Americans, 109.
Watts, Captain: ship fired on in Boston harbor, 23.
Weld, Rev. of Braintree: young women have spinning
match at home of, 116.
Wenham: account of spinning match at, 116.
Wentworth, Governor Benning of New Hampshire:
mentioned, 10; arrives in Boston for trial of slayer of
Lieutenant Pan ton, 110.
West Florida: troops from sent to Boston, 22.
Wheelright, wharf: rented for barracks, 11.
Whippings: grenadier given 200 lashes, believed dead
from, investigation of, 89-90.
White, Captain: brings news from London, 13.
White, Samuel: member of council, 15.
“Wild Irishman”: name of tune played by miiltary
band in Boston, 55.
Williams, John: Inspector General for Board of Cus¬
toms Commissioners, 54.
Williams, Joseph: justice of peace, 9.
Willson, Captain John: detains a private citizen on
complaint of soldier without warrant, 5; charges
against for inciting a negro insurrection, 16; arrested
on the negro charge, 17; leads a military ball in
Boston, 39; indicted by grand jury, 84; trial on negro
charge, strange conduct of, 91-92; sails for Halifax,
105.
Windham, Connecticut: encourages domestic industry,
22.
Wine: duties on, held illegal, vessels seized, 43; barrel
marked vinegar found on board coasting vessel, 59.
Winter: severity of in 1768-69, 64.
Wooton, William: Inspector-General for Board of
Customs Commissioners, 55.
Wright, Governor of Georgia: attempts to prevent
support of Massachusetts, 63.
“Yankee Doodle,” song: played when troops land in
Boston, 1; used at army entertainments, 55.
/I Jff _
t C*
ji
t* -f 'fo\j udr &■
.
(
_ Jbi-
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11